dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Ever wonder how dogs show love? People typically show affection to their dogs by talking with them, hanging out together, petting them, giving hugs, and so on. But do you know how dogs show love back? Sometimes dogs appreciate our cuddles and kisses, and sometimes they just tolerate it! Photo credit Jesse Hoorelbeke, Fargo Monthly Magazine But how do dogs show love back? Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought it would be fun to ask professional dog trainers how dogs typica …

Hiking season has arrived, are you bringing your dog on a hike?! At our HQ in Fargo, ND, we’ve weathered the brutal winter and are ready to enjoy the sweet summer weather with our pups. There’s nothing quite like reaching the end of a trail and admiring the vistas with your best friend by your side. Here are some easy ways to keep your pup safe and happy on your next hiking excursion. Source: PexelsStart slow Whether your dog is new to hiking, or you are just getting back into shape for …

We all want our dogs to stay healthy, hygienic, and smelling fresh! But it’s not always realistic to take your dog to the groomers for common grooming tasks. Here’s a helpful guide on some DIY dog grooming tasks, and some that are better left to the experts.Brushing When: Daily (for long coats); Weekly (for short coats)DIY Level: BeginnerHow to: Long coats - we recommend a rake or dematting brush to control and detangle furDouble coats - try a deshedding tool or a deshedding bladeShort coats …

Who is more loyal than a man’s best friend? Dogs love their owners, and as their parents, we take on board the emotional roller-coaster that is pet parenthood! Whether it’s waking up to their slobbery kisses at four in the morning, or leaving smelly treats on the freshly cleaned carpet, it is never a dull day for all the dog owners out there. In return, we receive the unconditional love and affection, as well as the softest cuddles in the universe! No one can sway us into giving out more …

What Does a Therapy Dog Do?Therapy dogs are often confused with service dogs. Service dogs are specially trained from the time they are puppies to help humans with a wide variety of challenges such as visual impairment, diabetes, PTSD, seizures, etc. Service dogs live with the person that needs the help and usually accompany that person everywhere. Therapy dogs may or may not be trained, and bring comfort and joy to people in many situations. In this blog, you will learn about the benefits of t …

As we sat on the couch one November day, I thought to ask my boyfriend, James, “What do you want for Christmas?” Without hesitation, he says, “A dog.” I laughed and shrugged the thought away thinking he was joking. To my surprise he wasn’t. At first, I wasn’t sure. I adore dogs and had grown up with them all my life, but were we ready for that kind of responsibility? Of course, it didn’t take much convincing on James’ part before I hopped online to see which pups were looking for their fur-ever …

“Start training right away.” That’s what you’ll hear if you add a new puppy to your family. Good advice, but also overwhelming. Puppies need to learn their names and basic commands but also how to walk on a leash, where to go potty and how to interact with other pets. Where to even begin? I turned to four experienced dog trainers and asked for their tips. You can’t go wrong teaching your puppy the following concepts right away, along with some of the basics, like potty trai …

Most new dog owners know what basic supplies they’ll need for a puppy. They know to purchase a leash, toys and food, for example. But what are some of the less obvious necessities new puppy owners may not think about?The following are a few of my ideas, and I’d love to hear yours in the comments. Five tips to prepare for your puppyHave a training plan in place. Think about how you will teach your puppy basic obedience commands and manners. Is this something you plan to do on your own, o …

Your pet’s ID tag is his ticket home if he gets lost.But how many dogs wear tags with old addresses or disconnected phone numbers? Or what about collars with no tags or nameplates at all?Responsible dog owners do irresponsible things sometimes. We’re all guilty. We spend money on new collars without bothering to order new tags. “Oh, we’ll just use the old tags,” we say. Then we wait days or weeks before transferring them from the old collar to the new. And that’s if we bother to move the tags at …

As a pet owner, you only want the best for your best friend. You know it takes time to find the perfect leather collar for your dog. What some owners don't realize is that leather products require care and conditioning. Since leather is technically an animal skin, it can become worn down from natural elements and lack of oils. This required care will depend on what type of leather your collar is made of. At dogIDs we suggest an Italian Leather or English Bridle collar. Designer Italian L …