Appropriate socialization in the first few months of life is critical for healthy social development of puppies. Proper exposure to new places and people can reduce the incidence of fear-based behavior problems later in the dog’s life. Let’s look at how and why you should socialize your new puppy!

Dogs are wonderful companions for people, but not every dog is well-mannered or plays well with others. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 4.5 million people are bitten every year, and an average of 1 in 5 people receive medical attention as the result of a dog bite. The reasons why people get bit are many, but some people wind up with traumatic injuries as the result of an interaction with a dog going wrong.

Does your dog love their visits to the veterinarian? We sure hope so! However, it’s important as a pet owner to remember that not all of the pets at the hospital share the same experience when visiting the vet. The hospital lobby is generally quite a busy and sometimes noisy place.

New pet adopters and experienced dog owners alike may wonder, "What is the parvovirus (parvo)? How does my dog get parvo? Can parvo spread to humans and other animals?"

Whether you’ve just adopted a puppy, or you’re on a routine pet supply shopping trip, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of dog food choices in the store. Each food has its pros and cons, with some brands and formulations even claiming to be super food cure-alls.

In July 2018, the FDA announced that it had begun investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as "grain-free," which contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole, flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients in the ingredient list, before vitamins and minerals).

When choosing the right dog for you and your family, there are many considerations to weigh. Which dog could be the right fit for your lifestyle? One of the more difficult issues is the question of whether to get a mixed breed (mutt) or a purebred dog. There are pros and cons to each, as well as differing opinions. There are also some misconceptions about what is available to the potential dog owner and some information out there that may not be completely accurate.

Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires. There’s no part of the country that hasn’t been affected by weather emergencies in recent years.

This is why it’s a good idea to have an emergency plan for your entire family, including your pets. Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But since summer is prime time for severe storms and flooding, why not take a few minutes to review your plan and if needed, create a “go” bag in case of emergency?