dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Adopting a new dog or puppy is an important decision that should involve the entire family. That’s true no matter what time of year it is. Keeping that in mind, the following are some tips to consider if you’re planning to give a family member a dog or puppy this Christmas. Choosing a dog as a family gift together I can’t think of a better surprise than a cute puppy with a red bow around his neck as he sits under the tree. In all reality though, that puppy would probably be peeing under …

I don't allow my dog to sleep on my bed because he's a little, um ... gross. Ace is one of those big, drooly-types who always has "shoelaces" hanging from his mouth. If I do allow him to sleep in my room on the floor, he's constantly waking me up by flapping his ears, flinging drool or snoring. Needless to say, my dog does not sleep on my bed. But what if your dog isn't as noisy and slobbery as mine? Is there really anything wrong with allowing your dog on your bed? I talked with …

Do you plan to share some of your turkey with your dog this Thanksgiving? Turkey can be a safe treat for dogs in moderation, but feeding table scraps can also lead to unwanted behavior such as begging. The following are some tips from veterinarians on how to help dog owners decide what's best for their own unique dogs. Table scraps as treats Dr. John Faught is the medical director of Firehouse Animal Health Center in Austin, Texas. He generally does not encourage his clients to feed thei …

I am a newlywed, which means everybody is asking when my husband and I are going to have kids. It’s a tough question to answer. Am I ready for children? Do I even want to have kids? Can’t our two cats and Boxer-mix dog be enough? They sure feel like kids to me, and truth be told, I usually prefer spending time with animals anyway. Not to mention the fact that we are still paying off debt, saving up to buy our first house and barely feel like we can keep our own lives on track, let alone be …

Dog lovers are always looking for ways to help homeless pets. While adoption is out of the question for some of us, perhaps fostering a dog could be an option. Fostering a dog means you provide the dog with a temporary home until the dog gets adopted. The following are someTips to help you get started with fostering a dog.1. Realistically evaluate your lifestyle. Welcoming any new dog into your home is usually a lot of work, and it's very important to find a dog that will fit into your r …

"Don't worry. He's good with other dogs." I'm sure you've heard that statement before. But some dog owners forget that just because a dog is good with one dog doesn't mean he's good with all dogs. Sometimes certain personalities or energy levels don't mix. This post includes some safety reminders onHow to introduce two dogs for a walk or playdate.1. Prevent direct eye contact between the dogs. Some dogs try to put their faces right up to other dogs. This can be OK for dogs that already …

dogIDs is always on the look-out for awesome artisan partners.Designer Dog CollarsThis summer we were thrilled to meet Kaydi Grunhovd at a local street fair, and with her wonderful collars, we knew she would be a great addition to the dogIDs artisan group.Her love of pet products happened by accident when she received a sewing machine for Christmas. After making dog collars for her friend's dogs as well as her own, the requests started rolling in. From there, she began selling collars at farmers …

You set a bag of rolls on the counter and then head out to your car to carry in another grocery bag. You’re gone a whole 30 seconds and … the rolls are gone! Raise your hand if your dog is guilty of this! Do any of you have dogs that like to steal food off the counters? Not only is this frustrating, but it can even be dangerous if the dog takes something that could be harmful, like chocolate. The following are a couple tips you can try to stop your dog from “counter surfing.” Unfo …

As dog owners, we want our furry friends to live as long as possible. Here are some tips for exercising your dog!Benefits of Dog Exercise Exercising your dog isn’t just to control their weight, but it can also help with diseases such as hip dysplasia and heart disease. It also improves bone and joint health, as well as lung function. Having your dog exercise every day will help tire them out for when you are at work or when they are left alone.How much should my dog exercise?Exercise le …

If you have a puppy, you’re probably looking for some ideas on how to safely tire him out, especially if he’s in that naughty, “teenage” stage. Taking your puppy for walks is a good idea, but you may be wondering how far you can walk him without putting too much stress on his joints. And, is it safe to take him running? I asked two dog trainers to share some of their ideas for exercising a puppy, and here’s what they had to say. Tips for tiring out your puppy1. Go for lots of short wa …