dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Moving or Traveling Across the Country with Dogs
My husband and I recently moved from Fargo, N.D., to Solana Beach, Calif. Moving is stressful enough on its own but worse when you add kids or pets. We don't have any human children, but we do have our three "fur babies" - a Lab mix and two cats. We've moved across town with them a few times, but that's nothing compared to three 12-hour days of driving in one small car. Here are some tips…
How to Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby
If you’re expecting a baby, you might be wondering how the heck your dog will react to the new family member. You’re probably also thinking about what you can do ahead for planning that introduction.The following are some tips and tricks from parents who've been there.How to introduce your dog to your newborn baby1. Change up the routine before the baby arrives.Obviously, once the baby arrives you…
7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Walks Interesting
Walking your dog is not only a form of exercise; it is also an opportunity for him to explore the world around him and learn some good behaviors. And, of course, there’s the chance to pee and poop. However, having the same dog walking basics everyday is dull and boring. While your dog may be always excited for the walk, some people may grow less and less optimistic each day that they would wish…
Meet Four Dogs That Go to Work Every Day
Friday June 26 is Take Your Dog to Work Day! Will any of you be taking your dogs to work?The dogIDs team definitely understands the benefits of having dogs in the office. You might remember our post about the company office dogs and why they’re so important to the overall business.This year, we decided to feature several other businesses that benefit from dogs in the office.Here are four lucky dog…
What to Put in a First-Aid Kit For Your Dog
April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. If you don’t have a first-aid kit for your dog at home, now is the perfect time to put one together. You can either buy a first-aid kit for dogs or put one together yourself. I reached out to a couple of professionals for advice on the best items to include in a first-aid kit specifically for dogs. Here’s what they had to say. Items…
What to do with Your Dog When You Travel
Leaving your dog while you travel can be difficult *cue In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan* but with proper planning to accommodate your dog’s needs, you can both have a fun getaway... but just what do you do with your dog when you travel?The best thing about traveling is getting to come home to our dogs. The first time they see you after a weekend, week-long, or even month-long trip is th…
3 Spring Grooming Tips for a Happy Dog
Healthy fur makes for a happy dog. But when your dog grows a thick coat in the winter, keeping it groomed and tangle-free isn’t always easy. That’s why spring is an important time to give your dog a good grooming.Follow these three grooming tips to prepare your dog for spring:1. Brush your dog regularly. Whether your dog is short-haired or long-haired, repeated brushing removes loose hair fr…
How to Get a Puppy Used to Walking on a Leash
Oct. 1 to 7 is National Walk Your Dog Week, so this week is a great opportunity to encourage other dog lovers to get out and walk more with their dogs. For this post, I thought I’d focus on puppies and when to start teaching them appropriate leash manners. If you've recently adopted a puppy, you're probably already teaching her the basics such as “sit.” But at what point should you start…
How to Teach a Dog to Take Treats Gently
Some dogs will naturally take treats gently from a person’s hand, while others can be quite careless! If you have a dog that snaps at your hand in a frantic attempt to get a treat, the following are some tips you can use to teach him to be more patient and gentle. These are also good tips to try if you recently adopted a puppy. It's much easier to start out by teaching good manners than…
8 Ways to Memorialize Your Loved Pet
It's devastating to think of losing your beloved fur-baby, but there will come a time when you'll wonder about the most fulfilling ways to memorialize a pet. September 13 is National Pet Memorial Day, but grief never restricts itself to a single day. My family’s dog, Katie, a black Australian kelpie and greyhound mix, passed away in April. Every time I go to my parents’ home, I feel like I c…
Making Holiday Decorations with Your Dog
Looking for a way to include your pet in the holiday festivities? Let them add their touch to some cute decorations.There are so many adorable items you can create with your dog’s paw print. Here are a few examples you can try out. When painting a dog’s paw, make sure to use a non-toxic paint and thoroughly clean off when finished.Paw Print Holiday CraftsPaw and Handprint Tree PaintingCollaborate…
4 Reasons to Use a Harness to Walk Your Dog
I’m a dog walker, so I use a variety of available tools for walking different types of dogs. One of those options is a leash and harness. The following are some reasons why you may want to consider a harness for your dog. Reasons to Use a Harness A harness is more difficult to slip out of. Some dogs are able to slip out of their collars more easily than others. For s…
Benefits of Waterproof Dog Collars
My Lab mix Ace is a gross dog. He drools and sheds more than most, which means there is often crusty hair and drool stuck to his collar. He’s always dirty and loves to dive head first into any source of open mud or water. Of course, I love my dog anyway, and one of our favorite things to do together is go to the beach so he can retrieve a tennis ball from the lake or ocean. Over the years,…
Harness vs Collar: Which Is Best For Your Dog?
As a pet parent, you might wonder if a collar or a harness is a better choice for your everyday use with your dog. You may hear opinions on both, but there are no definite answers as to which pet product is best. It depends on the kind of activities you will be doing with your dog as well as other factors.Here are three questions you should ask when picking between a collar or harness. What are m…
Mistakes To Avoid Caring for Leather Dog Collars
Some dog owners shy away from leather dog collars because they believe they’re finicky. However, that’s not the case when you understand how to maintain a leather dog collar. Discover a few mistakes to avoid when caring for leather dog collars. Applying Direct Heat To Dry the Leather CollarIf you forget to take the leather collar off your dog before a dip in the pool, lake, or river, don’t panic—i…