dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Teaching a dog to come when called is the most important command to teach a dog. Most people know the basics – put your dog on a leash, call him, lure him in and reward. But here are some important tricks toTeaching a dog to come when called: Only call your dog if you can enforce it. Yes, this is hard! But when your dog is in the yard barking at another dog and you keep screaming at him to come, you are only teaching him to tune you out. He learns that coming when called is optional. It …

dogIDs is proud to announce our newest Paw it Forward Program partner, Fargo, N.D. based K9 Crew. K9 Crew was founded in 2016 by veteran Joe Fluge. This unique non-profit focuses on building confidence in struggling youth through the care and training of dogs. It is a one-year-long program where at-risk youth (ages 12-16) receive a professional dog training education, mentorship, and build the skills they need to become successful adults. K9 Crew also partners with local animal s …

These days it seems like nothing is safe anymore. Artificial ingredients, chemicals and GMOs, report after report caution against the dangers in using many commercial items, from beauty products to food to medicine. While it’s important to be an informed consumer regarding the products we buy for ourselves, how it affects our pets is a whole other animal (no pun intended).Harmful Cleaning Products Many cleaning products that you can pick up at the store contain chemicals that are known t …

Dealing with a dog that has diarrhea or an upset stomach isn’t fun, especially if your dog frequently experiences these symptoms. While there are serious conditions that can cause recurrent digestive problems, many dogs simply suffer from sensitive stomachs. Luckily, there are ways to help your dog overcome these symptoms and even steps you can take to change their diet to something that is less likely to cause problems.Determine If Your Dog Has a Sensitive StomachThe good news about sensitive s …

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 …