Written by AKC “Mean seeds” refers to foxtails or any number of plants, including Canada wild rye and cheatgrass, that have barbed grass awns or seed heads. Dogs may pick up a grass awn on an ear, eye, mouth, nose, or between their toes – and an awn can even burrow directly into their skin. These plants and seeds can be particularly dangerous, causing pneumonia if the dog inhales them. The shape of the barbs allows the seed to continuously move forward, traveling inside the d

Written by Harriet Meyers for AKC Congratulations on your new puppy! This adorable, four-legged family member is going to bring you love and affection — and also some challenges, including how to survive teething and nipping. Puppies’ mouths are filled with 28 tiny, razor-sharp teeth that seem to be attracted to nipping at your fingers and toes. Although an annoying behavior, this is completely normal for teething puppies and something you can train away. When Do Puppy’s Teet

Written by AKC Staff Dedicated dog lovers tend to be very kind people. We share our hearts and homes (and for some lucky pups, even the foot of our beds) with our canine pals. Surely there is nothing wrong with sharing our favorite people foods with our dogs too, right? Not necessarily. Many of the foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that people digest just fine can wreak havoc on a dog’s body, causing severe health problems. On the other hand, some of the foods people eat

Written for AKC by Kathy Santo If you’re considering getting a second dog, there are questions you should answer and steps you should take to prepare for the responsibility that comes with training the new dog and helping your current dog adjust. Questions to Ask Yourself Before you jump into this new commitment, ask yourself these questions: Is your current dog out of puppyhood and completely trained and bonded to you? It’s often more than twice as difficult for one person t

By AKC Staff When you bring that fuzzy ball of puppy energy into your home, you know right away that your new puppy depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give your new puppy all the care they need every day. It can be a little intimidating — your puppy needs the best puppy food, plenty of attention, puppy training, puppy-safe toys, puppy socialization, a comfortable place to sleep, and proper veterinary care. And that includes making sure to schedule puppy s

Written by Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA for PetMD Fireworks might be awe-inspiring for some people, but many dogs are scared of fireworks and find the sound and spectacle terrifying. Dog fireworks anxiety can leave your pets in a panicked state. It should go without saying that anxious dogs don’t belong at fireworks displays. But even dogs at home can be overwhelmed by the noise, especially if the neighbors are setting off their own fireworks. That’s why it is so important to hel

Written by Chewy Editorial Many of us have been stung by bees. No one likes it. When a bee comes by, people often flail and scream and run like Godzilla is attacking the city. Luckily a bee sting is generally not too bad. It might be a little painful and then it turns itchy, but that’s about it, unless of course you are allergic (in which case, please do run and scream). While dog’s don’t have the same fear reaction that humans have, they physical reaction to a bee sting is n

Written for Johns Hopkins Medicine Adopting a pet may seem like a selfless act, but there are plenty of selfish reasons to embrace pet ownership. Research has shown that owning a pet provides an amazing array of health benefits, says Jeremy Barron, M.D., medical director of the Beacham Center for Geriatric Medicine at Johns Hopkins. Not ready for a full-time furry friend in your home? Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog, cat-sit for a friend, or donate time at a local animal shelt

Written by Anna Burke for AKC As a dog owner, I frequently come across the 10-percent rule. It sounds simple. “Treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet,” say veterinarians everywhere. I’ve quoted this so many times I’ve lost count, but then, as I was in the middle of a training session with my dog, treat bag full of tiny treats, I had a crisis of faith. What does 10 percent of a dog’s daily diet actually mean? It’s All About Calories It is easy to mak

Written by AKC Staff Dogs do get food poisoning, an illness usually involving gastrointestinal upset caused by bacteria or toxins in food. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose since there are a variety of causes for tummy upset in dogs, including viruses or other medical conditions, anxiety, consuming people foods that are toxic to dogs, or eating garbage and spoiled food. Bacterial causes of food poisoning, like Staphylococcus, have a short incubation period between ingesti

Written By Harriet Meyers for AKC Ticks are a problem for dogs (and for humans) throughout the United States during all seasons of the year. When temperatures rise, and you and your dog are spending more time outside, these bloodsucking pests become a larger threat. Ticks sit themselves on tall grasses and shrubs, waiting for your dog to walk by, so they can attach themselves to him. Tick prevention should be taken seriously, and not just because these arachnids make many peo

Written by Nicola Davis for The Guardian Dr Lucy Asher, co-author of the research, with her dog Martha. Photograph: Glen Asher-Gordon/PAMoody, unpredictable and with a striking disregard for the rules, teenagers can be hard to handle. Now it turns out the same is true for adolescent dogs. Researchers say they have found that pooches become less responsive to instructions from their carer during adolescence. And the parallels go further. “Generally teenagers that have a less s

Written for Purina.com Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time, and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. You’ll need puppy food, a leash and collar, and a strategy for potty training. Doing that prep work will make your first week together a fun one. You’ll spend time getting to know each other and your new puppy will explore his new space, learn where he should go potty and more. Before Bringing Home a New Puppy Prepare for your new puppy’s first week home by

Written by Harriet Meyers for AKC.com Ticks are a problem for dogs (and for humans) throughout the United States during all seasons of the year. When temperatures rise, and you and your dog are spending more time outside, these bloodsucking pests become a larger threat. Ticks sit themselves on tall grasses and shrubs, waiting for your dog to walk by, so they can attach themselves to him. Tick prevention should be taken seriously, and not just because these arachnids make many

Written Ami Patrick for One Kind Planet Dogs are amazing. They are man’s best friend, and we share almost every aspect of our human lives with them, from working to companionship. Welcoming a dog into your home is a big commitment, though and not a decision to take lightly. Just take a look at your local rescue centre to see the results of people buying on a whim or without research. The number of dogs left homeless is shocking. So, if you are considering welcoming a new dog

Written for AKC by Harriet Meyers Ticks are a problem for dogs (and for humans) throughout the United States during all seasons of the year. When temperatures rise, and you and your dog are spending more time outside, these bloodsucking pests become a larger threat. Ticks sit themselves on tall grasses and shrubs, waiting for your dog to walk by, so they can attach themselves to him. Tick prevention should be taken seriously, and not just because these arachnids make many peo

Written by AKC Maybe your veterinarian has recommended a prescription diet, or perhaps you’ve simply decided to try a new brand. Whatever the reason for the switch, changing your dog’s diet is more complex than simply pouring the new food into a bowl. In order to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach, you will need to transition to the new food the right way. Here’s the best way to switch dog foods. How to Change Your Dog’s Food Switching your dog’s food abruptly can cause gastr

Written by Jean Bauhaus for AKC Commercial cleaning products are loaded with potentially hazardous ingredients like bleach and ammonia. Some also contain perfumes and other ingredients that can irritate a dog’s eyes and skin, and even cause breathing problems. But that doesn’t mean you have to let dirt and germs take over your home in order to keep your pooch safe. You likely have everything you need in your pantry and medicine cabinet to mix up dog-safe cleaning solutions th

What is a dewclew? Dewclews are found on a dog’s fore and rear paws. The dewclew is usually higher up on the paw, as such does not contact the ground unless the dog is in a gallop or a hard run. During a hard run or gallop, the dewclew is used for lower leg support and preventing torque injury. Dewclew Removal Over the past 100 years or so, dewclew removal has become a custom. Initially performed to potentially avoid the claw catching inadvertently around the house - thin