Some dogs love to swim, but many are afraid to even get close to the water. Here are a few tips for helping Fido overcome his fears. Many dogs love to swim, but some are afraid to even get close to the water. Whether his aversion to beaches, lakes and pools stems from a bad experience or your pet is simply cautious by nature, there are ways to help him feel more confident in the bath and at the beach. To help your dog adjust to the water, it is best to introduce him to it at home where he feels safe and comfortable. Do not expect too much too fast, however, as forcing him into water can actually increase anxiety surrounding baths or swimming. To help him adjust at his own pace, introduce your dog to gradually by filling the tub with only a small amount of warm water. Offer him treats and praise when he remains calm in the tub and be sure to stay calm yourself, as dogs are masters at reading social cues. Over time as your dog shows signs of feeling comfortable, you can add more water. Try adding toys to the tub, too, to help distract your pet from a stressful soak. If you have a yard, you can also invest in a kiddie pool during the hot months of the year to entice your pet with a cooling dip to show him that getting wet can be an enjoyable experience. If he begins to relax and play in the pool, you can join in the fun, too. Other ways to introduce your dog to water include playing catch with the sprinklers on, letting him explore puddles during walks, petting him with a wet washcloth, and simply walking close to a lake or ocean during his daily exercise. After your dog has mastered feeling confident in the water at home, you can bring him to the ocean or lake. If he has canine companions, arrange for a group outing so your pet can see his friends swimming and learn from them that water can be fun. Continue to offer praise as he wades even into the shallows, which will boost your dog’s confidence and form positive associations with the water. If you begin to get frustrated at any point, take a break or try again another day, as your pet can sense a sour mood and will begin to associate it with swimming. Some dogs are frightened of swimming and respond well to a personal floatation device similar to the life jackets humans wear. With the confidence that he will not sink and a swaddling effect that many animals find comforting, your pet may be able to relax more and truly enjoy his time in a lake, pool or ocean. During bath time, make sure your tub is outfitted with a rubber mat to prevent slipping and consider investing in a nozzle for rinsing, as a deluge from a bucket can be off-putting for pets that are still adjusting to water. With some time and patience, your four-legged companion should learn feel comfortable in the water, and may even learn to love swimming.

Nibbling can be cute in puppies, but can lead to problem behaviors down the road. Nip biting in the bud with these five tips. As puppies begin to teeth, it’s natural for them to chew on things—including your hands. As cute as this can be in young pets, it often leads to problems down the road as dogs become larger adults. Here are some tips for to nipping biting in the bud early in your pet’s life: 1. Redirect your dog’s attention. In the same way parents of human children use distraction to redirect youngsters’ unwanted behaviors, so can you use distractions to stop your puppy from nipping. If you see him moving toward your hand, quickly pull it away before he can make contract and replace it with a treat, chew toy or other acceptable object to chew on. 2. Work on training. As with any behavior, practice makes perfect when teaching your dog to stop biting. Begin teaching him commands such as “leave it” or “let go” early in life so it becomes easy to remove any object from his mouth without sparking an aggressive response. 3. Speak a language he understands. Puppies often use their mouths during play, but this can easily escalate into painful bites. When a pup bites too hard, his peers let him know by letting out a yelp. Imitate this behavior to draw clear limits for your pet. When he bites your hand too hard, let the hand go limp and imitate the yelping sound dogs make when they are in pain. Your pet should release your hand immediately. After a 10 or 20- second time out, you can resume play, showing your dog you have clear limits when it comes to nipping. Remember not to pull your hand away, as this can turn into a game of chase and exacerbate the problem. 4. Stop ankle biters. Puppies sometimes bite ankles, too, especially if they are members of a herding breed. If this happens with your youngster, keep a toy in your pocket. When he nips at your heels, stop in your tracks and wave the toy around as an alternate to latch on to. If you are caught without the toy, simply stop moving and wait calmly until your dog stops biting, then fetch his favorite toy. Offering praise and a reward will show your pet good things happen when he stops biting. 5. Provide plenty of playtime. One of the best ways to stop a mouthy companion is to provide ample opportunities for him to burn off excess energy. Play games such as tug- of-war with your pet to help satisfy his urge to bite in acceptable ways and take him to socialize him with other dogs when possible. You can also consider enrolling in an obedience class, which will strengthen the bond your share with your pet.

Most dogs love food, but some eat so fast it is a hazard to their health. Fortunately, there are many ways to slow a speed-eating pet. It’s no secret that many of our pets love food, but some dogs eat so fast it can put their health in jeopardy. Chowing down at warp speed not only prevents proper chewing, but can lead to choking, vomiting or a condition known as gastric dilation that is potentially fatal. That is why it is crucial to slow down speed-eating pets. Colloquially called canine bloat, gastric dilation occurs when a dog’s stomach expands due to gassy build-up, to the point it can twist your dog’s abdomen and prevent gases from exiting the stomach. This serious condition can cut off circulation to the stomach, heart and other vital organs and can prove fatal within hours if left untreated. Though this is just one of the most serious outcomes of eating too quickly, it highlights the importance of slowing Fido down during mealtimes. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to stop your pet from plowing through his dinner too fast. One of the easiest ways to slow dogs down during mealtime is to change the physical structure of their food bowls. You can purchase a puzzle bowl online, with dozens of designs to choose from. The idea of these feeders is to present a food dish with irregular shapes that that slow Fido’s eating. Some pet parents may want to try their hand at an easy, do-it-yourself version of these bowls, which can be as simple as placing a smaller bowl upside down inside a large dish. By creating a narrow “moat” for food, your dog must work harder to eat his way around the dish. You can also try placing large (meaning too large to swallow!) toys in his dish to slow your pet’s eating. Other pet parents chose to scatter food in various compartments of a muffin tin, across a baking sheet, or simply around the flood so their dog has to move for each piece—although the last option works best in single-pet households, where it will not provoke competition. Other interactive objects known as treat-release toys are designed to make your dog work to extract small portions of food from a cube, Kong or other device. Some pet parents find these loud, but they can be another great option for keeping dogs occupied during the day while are you are at work. In addition to physical devices designed to slow your pet down, you can using feeding times strategically to prevent Fido from gulping his food. Turn dinner time into a game of hide and seek to provide mental and physical stimulation for your pet. If you schedule allows, you can also feed your dog more small meals throughout the day to combat his desire to inhale his dinner. Try a few of these options with your pet to see what works best to keep Fido fit and avoid the potential pitfalls of speed eating.

We all love our dogs, but not everyone gets along with pets. Here are some tips to help a frought relationship between your pet and partner. No one wants to think of their partner not getting along with their pet, but in reality, this happens more than we might think. Rather than choosing to leave your significant other or dog behind, there are ways you can work with both to help ease a tense situation. Loving pet parents hold their four-legged family members in high regard, but dogs are not always the victim in a frought pet-partner relationship. Often, Fido is the antagonist in these scenarios, even if his owner cannot see it. Some dogs are overly protective of their humans and will guard their esteemed owner against all others —including a significant other. Other animals engage in problem behaviors such as sitting in laps, chewing shoes, or eliminating inside, causing rifts when a new person enters the home and expects different behavior. Don’t be blinded by your love for your pet—but pets are not always to blame in difficult situations. Some people simply love animals more than others, and if you and your partner do not see eye-to-eye on this issue, it can cause a tricky relationship between him or her and your beloved canine. When pets and partners butt heads, the first thing to do is ensure humans, and then animals, are safe. If your dog has a history of biting, for example, warn anyone before they enter your home—including, but not only, your new partner. One you have ensured everyone is safe, the next step Is to stop enabling a poorly behaved pet. If Fido is overly protective of you, it may mean you need to step back and let your partner take over feeding your dog meals, taking him out for walks, and engaging in other activities your dog loves. This allows your dog to form positive associations with your significant other and learn to rely on other people. While this can a be a major challenge for any attached pet parent, it is a temporary step that can result in a bond between your partner or pet, or at least their peaceful coexistence. If the animosity in your frought pet-partner relationship is stemming from your significant other, however, you will need to talk to him or her. In a two-sided relationship, he or she should be open to this discussion and recognize your dog’s important role in your life. Even if your partner is not a “pet person,” he or she should be open to attempting to bond with your dog through the methods above, or at least coexist peacefully. Remember, any relationship takes time, so be patient with your dog and partner as you work to reconcile a tense situation.

Leash reactivity can ruin walks, but there are steps you can take to overcome Fido’s fears. Here’s how to help a leash-anxious pet. Dogs evolved alongside humans, but not all of our requested behaviors come naturally to our pets. Walking on a leash can make some pets feel vulnerable by taking away their ability to fight or flee in an emergency, leading to problem behavior known as leash reactivity. Fortunately, you can relieve your pet’s stress with a few simple changes: 1. Use tasty treats. One of the best ways to ease your dog’s leash anxiety is to use positive reinforcement. Feed Fido his favorite treat when another dog or person approaches, for example, to distract him from the anxiety trigger and help him form a positive relationship with the experience. Practice and patience are key in this type of training, so remember to be consistent and don’t give up hope if you don’t see immediate results. 2. Practice choice training. You can make walks a more positive experience by reinforcing good behavior. The goal of this type of “choice training” is to praise your dog for remaining calm in a stressful situation, such as when a strange dog approaches. As soon as you see an animal nearby, begin lavishing your pet with praise for staying cool and collected. As soon as he becomes reactive, however, withdraw your praise. This will let your dog know what type of behavior earns your coveted attention. Because dogs will often not eat when they are in a state of fear, this can be a good alternative to using treats for positive reinforcement. 3. Be consistent. Another way to relieve your dog’s anxiety is to keep habits as regular and predictable as possible. Follow the same walking route, which is ideally quiet, and try to walk at the same time each day, if possible. Keep your pet’s attention on you and away from his anxiety by incorporating a tiny unpredictable element into this routine, however. You can bring a toy along as a distraction or change your pace throughout the walk. This will help your dog tune in to you, rather than focus on his fear. 4. Teach your dog a target word: Another way to get Fido to focus on you during walks is to train him to use a target word or cue. When you see another dog or person approaching, use this signal to get your dog’s attention on you and away from the trigger. Reward him for listening with a treat and praise. 5. Choose your battles: We all like to overcome our fears, but sometimes the best way to prevent stress is to avoid the trigger itself. If you are not sure you can manage your dog in a high-stress situation, such as walking in a well-traveled area, it is best to avoid that situation altogether, until you feel comfortable. Safety comes first, so be sure you are confident in you and your dog’s ability to handle a stressful situation before you approach it. Working your way up to progressively more challenging walking environments can be a great way to boost your dog’s confidence, as long as you are patient with his progress.

Dogs are famous for their loyalty to humans, which evolved over thousands of years. Here’s how evolution nurtured our unique bond. Dogs are famous for their loyalty, but what truly makes them man’s best friend? Thanks to animal researchers, we are improving our understanding of our shared history and this unique bond. Studies have shown that dogs and humans began their shared existence anywhere between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago. While a deeper dive into the topic is necessary to better understand how dogs departed from their wolf ancestors, research indicates that dogs had already become a separate species by this time. Several factors contributed to our shared past, which may have started as humans realized dogs provided them with protection or gave them an advantage during the hunt. Dogs and people share a natural affinity for group bonding, so this proximity lent itself easily to the ties we share today. A dog’s survival depends on his ability to be part of the pack, after all, and in the modern setting, your family becomes his social group. Trusting his pack leader and cooperating for the good of the group is innate to dogs, explaining their unwavering loyalty to their humans. Sharing close quarters with people also allowed dogs to refine the ways they communicate with humans. Studies have shown that dogs have a profound ability to read verbal and physical cues from humans, which helps them understand what we are feeling. While it is certainly in your pet’s self-interest to understand when you are in a good mood, and therefore more amenable to doling out treats, research has found that our four-legged companions can actually express empathy for humans. One study, for example, showed that compared to strangers and even food, dogs reacted stronger to the smell of their owners, which triggered the part of their brains associated with positive emotions and enjoyment. This ability to bond is unique in the animal kingdom, truly earning your dog his position as man’s best friend. The bond a pet and owner share depends on the individuals involved, and in some cases, this can lead to a codependent relationship in which a dog grows too attached to one person. This can lead to separation anxiety when you are away from home or your pet distancing himself from other members of the family, so you should work to treat codependence as soon as you notice an unhealthy pattern. If your dog’s attachment is too intense to fix on your own, seek the advice of a canine behaviorist. Though the relationship varies from pet-to-pet, one thing is clear: Dogs evolved alongside humans, establishing a special connection. What started as a reciprocal relationship in which humans fed canines in return for protection has evolved to be one of the closest cross-species bonds in the animal kingdom, thanks to thousands of years.

Pet owners have one thing in common: We love our four-legged friends. Research is shedding light on why so many people choose to keep pets. We love our pets, but think practically about the matter, and you might begin to wonder why. Pets cost us dearly in terms of time and money, with little to offer in terms of material benefits. In fact, as recently as 100 years ago, animals served a more utilitarian role in our lives and the idea of owning a pet could be considered laughable. Despite all of this, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe choose to care for pets. Researchers have worked to unravel the intricate reasons why. Many studies have cited the health benefits of owning pets, from reducing stress to releasing feel-good endorphins. However, for every study noting pets’ benefits to humans, another finds that caring for animals can actually cause stress, largely debunking this theory. There are plenty of reasons why we cherish our pets, however. Like our canine counterparts, humans are social by nature and being part of a pack benefits us. It is easy to see how this” pack mentality” easily extends to our four-legged friends, who began to evolve alongside humans thousands of years ago. As people began to see dogs as useful in the hunt and that cats kept grain-thieving rodents at bay, the domestication of animals emerged. Our canine companions in particular evolve to be compatible with humans, as they became adept at reading and reacting to our expressions, nurturing our bond. At the same time, people who considered good with animals earned rapport among their fellow humans, as pet-keeping gave societies a leg-up on neighboring groups that lagged behind in discovering the useful role of animals. Though many societies value pet-keeping, it is important to note that not all cultures share the tradition of caring for animals as if they are family members. This offers further insight into why particular people feel such an affinity for their four-legged friends: Pet-keeping tends to be a habit passed from parents to children. Whether this is a learned behavior or embedded in genetic codes—or both—is still up for debate. However, one thing seems clear: People who come from pet-loving households are more likely to keep pets themselves. Caring for a pet may seem irrational, but examining humans’ history as a social species begins to explain the mystery behind our affinity for animals. Providing a pet with a happy home gives most people a sense of satisfaction that, compared to making another human content, is easily achieved. New research is finding that pet owners are more likely to share a concern for the natural world, too, which may provide a bridge to the environment from which we all evolved.

Dandruff isn’t always a case of dry skin in dogs. From fungal infections to allergies and disease, Fido’s flaky skin can be a symptom of more serious problems. Dogs with dandruff often display symptoms from itching, licking and scabbing to balding and thick or calloused skin. Alongside his dry or oily flakes, these are symptoms of inflammation and it is important to understand their cause to treat the condition effectively.

 Dandruff can be a red flag that Fido is experiencing some serious inflammation and one common culprit is allergies. Whether he’s reacting to something in his diet or the surrounding environment, your pet’s flaky skin is a telltale sign that something is awry. If you suspect your pet’s dandruff is caused by his diet, talking to your veterinarian about a special diet is the best way to improve his skin condition. If, after eliminating high-risk ingredients such as wheat, corn, soy, rice and beet pulp, his skin improves, you should continue following the diet to ensure Fido stays healthy. Environmental allergens such as dust, pollen or mold are more difficult to treat, but can be improved by several measures. Give your dog more frequent baths with a soothing shampoo to remove irritants from his skin and reduce allergens in the home by vacuuming weekly, keeping windows closed, and washing your dog’s bedding regularly. 

If allergies are not the source of Fido’s flaky skin, fungal or bacterial infections may be the culprit. These infections irritate the skin, causing it to dry out and shed excessively. Some endocrine disorders such as Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease can also cause dandruff, as does infection by parasites. Other common medical causes of dandruff in dogs include mites, which cause Cheyletiellosis or “walking dandruff” and requires weekly treatments with a mite-eradicating dip to treat. If you suspect any of these are the source of your pet’s dandruff, take him to the veterinarian for an examination to diagnose the problem.

 Of course, dandruff is often just a symptom of dry skin, especially during the winter months. Be sure to bathe and groom your pet more frequently when dandruff is present to keep him clean, remove potential contaminants and stimulate oil production in his skin. You may also consider giving your companion supplements such as fish oil, zinc and vitamins A and E to nurture his skin and immune system. Even stress can lead to dandruff, so do your best to minimize changes in your dog’s life and eliminate anxiety-inducing events. You can shop for pet oils or sprays that help replenish fluid in your dog’s dry skin and even invest in a humidifier to keep Fido’s skin supple during the dry winter months.

All dog owners have felt frustrated when their pets stop and smell during walks, but research is pointing to the benefits of this activity. Many pet parents have experienced frustration when their curious companions stop to sniff every five steps during walks. However, research is showing that allowing dogs to exercise their noses may be just as important as the physical activity gained from walking.

 Most dogs like to stop and smell when they when they are on the go, and this makes sense: Not only do our canine companions have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses—compared to the roughly six million humans have—but they also use this keen sense of smell to gather important information about their surroundings. Dogs communicate partly through chemicals, so they pick up a lot of information about their peers through smell. Giving him time to stop and sniff, then, is truly allowing your dog to understand his environment. Forcing him to forgo this behavior, on the other hand, may be akin to sensory deprivation, as dogs use their noses to determine what other animals have visited a particular spot, how large they are, if a female is in heat, and other social cues. Allowing your pet to sniff other animals’ markings may ease introductions on the street, too, as Fido has already had a chance to “meet” his fellow canine through smell.

 If you are concerned about striking the right balance between exercise and nose-to-the-ground time during walks, you can try an experiment with your pet. First, take him on a walk and allow only a small amount of time to stop and sniff. Another day, take your dog on a walk and give him ample time to smell his surroundings. Compare his energy levels after both walks and adjust his smell time accordingly to help your pet strike the right balance of burning mental and physical energy. Another option some pet parents choose to explore is nosework, which kicks Fido’s tracking abilities into high gear. Nosework trains dogs to sniff out a piece of meat, cheese or other tasty morsel, allowing your pet to exercise his keen sense of smell in a problem-solving scenario that activates both his body and brain. By playing this game of olfactory hide-and-seek, your dog engages in a natural behavior and makes independent choices that, research shows, appear to benefit his overall wellbeing.

 Whether you are walking through the park or practicing nosework, active time you spend with your pet is a chance for you to bond. By making the experience enjoyable for you both and adjusting activities according to your pet’s individual needs, you can strengthen the relationship you share while improving Fido’s quality of life. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to giving your dog adequate time to sniff during walks, allowing him to stop and smell can significantly improve his experience.

Many dogs suffer from seasonal allergies, but science is shedding some light on a supplement that can help relieve Fido’s itchy skin: omega-3 fatty acid. Thousands of dogs suffer from atopic dermatitis, a skin condition often linked to pollens, molds and other environmental allergens, especially during the warmer months of the year. Left untreated, this minor skin condition can lead to major infections due to itching, scratching and open wounds, so it’s important to treat dermatitis at its source. Fortunately, science is shedding some light on how we can help our canine companions combat this inflammatory skin condition. Pet food has come a long way in recent years, but most dogs still don’t get the omega-3 fatty acids they need through their diets. Dogs can’t product these carbon chains on their own, so it’s important they get omega-3s such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in their diet. Pets deficient in these unsaturated fats have been found to experience more frequent sensitivity to allergens, leading to excess itching. By supporting your pet’s immune system, omega-3 helps combat allergic reactions—but not all omegas are created equal. Omega-3 comes from many sources including flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnut oil, and soybean oil, but this form of the molecule, called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, is not readily useable by dog’s bodies. Instead, it’s much more efficient to provide pets with omega-3 in the form of EPA and DHA, found primarily in cold-water fish such as salmon and some types of algae. Another source of these readily available omega-3 fatty acids is krill, a tiny sea creature. Krill oil has the benefit of being environmentally sustainable, as it’s lower on the food chain than fish, and lower levels of toxins that can bioaccumulate further up the food chain.
 There are, of course, hang ups no matter what type of omega-3 supplement you chose. The dose of omega-3 needed to treat health conditions in dogs has not been established with any degree of certainty, so choosing the right dose for your pet can be a guessing game at best. Fortunately, omega-3s are incredibly safe in moderate doses, so most pet owners don’t need to worry about feeding Fido too much of the beneficial fatty acids. It’s also important to find an omega product that has been preserved to prevent oxidation, which leads to rancid oils. In many omega-3 products, it is also important to find out what method manufacturers use to remove mercury that can bioaccumulate in fish. Whatever type of supplement you choose for your pet should be high-quality and list the amount of  EPA and DHA contained in the product. There is still significant research required to establish the best way to treat your dog’s dermatitis with omega-3s. However, science points more and more to the benefits of the fatty acids, as long as Fido is receiving a high-quality product to supplement his food.