Resources

Meeting a new dog can be exciting! But it’s important to be mindful of how we greet a dog to let them know we are a friend and not a foe. Whether you’re headed to the shelter to adopt or greeting your neighbor’s dog on the street, this quick guide will help you understand how dogs perceive your body language and help you to understand theirs, too.

Wouldn’t it be nice if my dog could relax at home without getting into mischief? Stay calm when guests come over? Lie by my feet and enjoy some quality time together after a long day? These are all very reasonable goals!

Even if your pet rarely travels in a carrier, it’s important to make sure they are comfortable doing so. Most cats only interact with a carrier before a stressful experience, teaching them that the carrier means something scary or unpleasant is going to happen.

It’s important to regularly clip your pet’s nails to avoid them from becoming overgrown. Overgrown nails can cause pain, infection, decreased traction and injury to the pet, humans and other animals.

Crate training is an important skill for all dogs! Crates can be used for travel, short-term confinement at a vet or groomer or for additional safety and management with dogs who need to limit their movement for medical reasons.

Grooming your pet is essential to keeping them happy and healthy. And if you regularly groom your pet at home, you are more likely to detect early signs of health concerns like lumps, cuts or other skin conditions that may require veterinary attention.

When your dog pulls while walking on leash, it can be frustrating and challenging for both of you! Fortunately, through positive reinforcement training and loose leash walking techniques — and with plenty of patience — you can teach your dog to want to walk by your side.

Household pets thrive on routine, but cats are especially attached to their space — which can make moving a particularly challenging experience. To help your cat through the transition, there are steps and precautions you can take throughout the moving process to minimize shock and keep your cat happy and healthy.

Cats scratch to meet physical, emotional or social needs. It’s a natural behavior that we can’t stop — and we shouldn’t try to. Asking our cats not to scratch would be like asking a bird not to fly. Instead, we can provide our cats with appropriate outlets for scratching.