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I’m prompted to write something on this because I’m seeing and hearing so much more these days, of dogs suffering yeast infections (mostly ears but a few skin infections particularly groin and armpits as well), urinary tract infections (some are yeast-related as well), gastrointestinal issues and all too common skin issues — dermatitis of one sort or another. Recently I had been approached by a few dog owners (not of my breeding) and asked for advice on how to deal with aller

NO, most plug-ins, gels, and sprays are NOT SAFE for your dog and can be causing them harm ⚠️ Why?! Most forms of air fresheners, even those marketed as “natural”, can be very toxic to dogs, and us! According to Dr. Mahaney, one of the main offenders in the ingredient list for most air fresheners are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature due to a low boiling point. This causes these compounds to easily

Almost everyone has experienced the unpleasant sensation of standing on a very hot road. How many of us realize the road can be just as dangerous and painful for our dogs? Hot pavement, debris and grasses can burn and injure a dog’s paws. Those of us who are dog lovers want to take our dogs along on outings; however, the summer months can be dangerous for dogs. Walking on HOT pavement, gravel, dirt, blacktop, driveways, streets and parking lots can get really hot and burn y

Tennis balls are on the top of the new owners shopping list for puppy toys. Most puppies/dogs love to play with balls as it's hard for them to resist the rubbery chewiness and fuzzy texture! But without knowing it, you will be using an object that is unhealthy for your puppy/dog's dental health and is a choking hazard and should not be considered a dog toy. And here is why👇. Tennis balls are assembled in mass quantities on factory assembly lines all over the world. Unfortuna

Please ensure that if you are stuffing treat toys and freezing them for your pets, don’t forget to ensure there is a HOLE ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH IT. WHY YOU MAY ASK ? Toys such as Kongs have 2 holes in their toys for a reason - TO PREVENT SUCTION. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT ? When your pet licks at the contents of the toy or squeezes it in its mouth, their tongue can get SUCKED into the hole and the toy can get STUCK on the dogs tongue. This can cause horrific injuries to the poin

It sounds logical - if a dog is tired from lots of physical activity or environmental stimulation it will settle down and have a good, long sleep which will in turn make our lives a bit easier. Sometimes they will, every dog is different and different breeds have different needs, but sometimes a tired dog may become more aroused, more energetic, behave out of character and make bad choices. Some of us may be familiar with young children who are hyped up, can’t settle down, b

MYTH: Spraying my dog with water will keep them cool. FACT: A dog’s skin is like a wetsuit. They do not have pores or experience evaporative cooling like we do. If the water you spray on them is cold, they will feel the coolness initially. But, since they don’t feel evaporative coolness, in a few moments or minutes it will feel like a wet blanket to them. Instead: While too much time in the sun should be avoided, summer swims are great exercise! MYTH: It’s okay to leave my

SKIN TURNING BLUE One of the most common signs (and first signs) of frostbite in dogs, and in humans as well, is the skin turning blue. It may also look slightly gray with a blue tinge. If your dog has long hair, you may not be able to see her skin very well, so you should part her fur in several locations and check for this sign of frostbite if you suspect she may be suffering from this condition. COLD TO THE TOUCH Since the skin will be damaged from the cold if frostbite oc

Your dog is more than just your constant companion; he/she’s also a beloved member of the family. No matter the season, frequent exercise, a well-balanced diet, and outdoor playtime are essential to your dog’s health and happiness. Not only does exercise prevent obesity, but it also provides the mental stimulation your pup needs to lower the risk of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. We’re all aware of the potential dangers of overheating, but what should w

I think I have been blogging about food for a bit too long 🧐🥴 and with the upcoming litter of our Last Samurai Samoyed babies almost ready to leave us, I figured getting into training tips would be beneficial for our new samurai families. So here we go! So you are planning to bring home a new puppy and are in the midst of preparing, and one of the first priorities for puppy parenthood is potty training! So how does a crate come into play when housebreaking, and what are oth

So you finally got your new puppy home and one of the first things you’re going to ask yourself (trust me I know 😂😜) - “why is he/she biting so much?” Well either that or “what in the hell have I gotten myself into bringing that fluffy pirana home?!” Trust me, you’re not alone. Puppies are a handful, and their constant biting can be extremely frustrating. Training your puppy to stop biting is not a fun or quick process. I’m not going to sugarcoat it🥴. It takes a lot of pat

If I go through my correspondence with our new puppy families potty training problems are one of the most frequent issues that arise in messages and emails. So figured I will give you a few tips on how to housebreak your pup and a few problem resolutions on how to solve the most common issues with potty training. Keep in mind that when our little samurais leave the kennel to go to their forever homes they are started on the kennel potty routine and are 80% trained. However, I

There is a common belief that comforting a dog that is scared, anxious or stressed will just reinforce or encourage them to feel this way. This belief is incorrect. Fear is an emotional response and one that a dog does not choose or makes a decision to experience. We cannot reinforce something that is an involuntary, uncontrolled response. Imagine an intruder broke into your home, tied you up and took off with your belongings. After freeing yourself and getting help, a cl

We can help our dogs to cope in our world by providing predictable patterns that they can follow, even when the unpredictable happens. This requires consistency, repetition and patience, but dogs quickly learn what to do when that behaviour creates a predictable, positive result. Predictability lowers anxiety, allows the brain to conserve energy and creates a sense of trust and security. Like other animals, dogs are experts at finding patterns. They look for patterns in their

Here’s what you need to know if you’ve ever wondered why your dog growls when you pet him/her, pick him/her up, brush him/her – or why he/she ever growls particularly at children and/or strangers. I have heard of many cases of dogs growling at children. And being a mother of three youngsters myself all aged under 9 years I can tell you that growling is good. It should alarm you that something is going on and you need to intervene. Kinda makes the perfect sense right? 👉When y

I need to address some crucial behaviour “problems” that people often mention regarding their dogs, which they want to resolve. I find these issues to be highly relatable and worth discussing. Let's go over these examples together but from your dog’s perspective. 👉He doesn’t like it when people he doesn’t know come to the house, especially if it’s a man. 🫵 dogs don’t understand company coming over. They have no concept of mailman, Amazon delivery, or family gatherings. The

Living with multiple dogs can be a wonderful experience, but it often requires careful management. In most cases, households with several dogs need to implement some form of oversight. It's not usually like a Disney movie, where all the dogs share bones, sleep in a big pile, and happily let each other walk over them without any scuffles or fights. Most owners of multiple dogs work hard to prevent conflicts and are aware of the triggers to avoid. My dogs absolutely adore each

What Is Prey Drive in Dogs? Prey drive is a fascinating instinct that lies at the heart of a dog's genetic heritage. This intricate blend of biology and environment fuels their natural hunting behavior. While most dogs instinctively possess this drive, our understanding of it—especially in breeds that are particularly high-energy—can be a bit of a challenge. The intensity of prey drive varies widely from one dog to another. Some may show just a mild curiosity toward moving ob

Temperament is a widely used term that refers to the behavioral traits of dogs. Grasping the concept of dog temperament is essential for potential dog owners, breeders, and organizations involved with working dogs. It plays a significant role in determining which type of dog will best suit someone's needs, whether as a companion or for work purposes. When people are choosing a pet or training a working dog, temperament is a major factor that influences their decision. Moreove

Dogs are constantly learning how to ask for what they want. No matter what we do, they find ways to communicate with us using communication cues and body language. This could be by nudging their nose against your leg to request a cuddle or barking to signal that they want you to throw the ball. As owners, caregivers and trainers, we get to negotiate that communication language. When you a struggling to communicate or read your dog’s language and communication cues start work