dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Why you should consider adopting an older pet.In the U.S., 86% of pets in animal welfare organizations are turned over due to “owner-specific reasons,” meaning the inability to care for the pet for the remainder of its life. However, there are plenty of benefits to adopting an older dog that you may not know about!Older pets are usually more obedient, house trained and more calm than younger dogs. Not only are they are less likely to be destructive to your house, they don’t require as much …

Safety Collars From dogIDsIf you are looking for a new collar for your adventurous dog, a waterproof safety collar might be right for you. When dogs are playing in a yard or out in the open, they can get stuck on objects such as a branch or a fence. A safety collar allows your pet to free themselves from that object. Learn more in this great video: Looking to buy a Safety Collar? Check out our favorite collar options here:Soft Grip Safety CollarReflective Safety CollarCamouflage Safety CollarWh …

So you’re planning on adopting a puppy or younger dog, but how will your current dog react? You may need a bit of help before introducing a puppy to an older dog. Maybe she generally loves other dogs, but you’re worried she’ll be jealous or that a puppy will be too playful for her. How can you help the introduction go as smoothly as possible? The following are some ideas that should help with how to introduce a puppy to an older dog.1. Choose your second dog carefully. Before you eve …

   Adopting a dog is one of the most rewarding decisions a dog lover can make, and there is no shortage of dogs in need of homes. But how do you choose the “best” dog for you and your family? The following are some tips to get you started.How to choose the right rescue dog1. Find a rescue group or shelter first and then choose a dog. If you’re interested in adopting a dog, I recommend you get approved to adopt through a specific organization before you choose a dog. The …

I fostered a dog last month who was scared to put her paws on different surfaces. Pavement and carpeted floors were no big deal, but tiles were scary and so was our kitchen floor!In her case, I figured she just hadn’t been exposed to those kinds of surfaces early on in her life, and after a few days she realized they were safe.Dogs develop all sorts of different fears, and I asked a couple of professionals for some of the most common fears they see dogs experiencing.Common fears in dogsSome of t …

Depending on what activities you like to do with your dog, you may need a variety of different leashes for each situation. In this post, I’ll go over a couple of popular leash options and give some examples of when each leash could be used. If you have a favorite type of leash, let me know in the comments!Different types of leashes for dogsThe basic snap leash Snap leashes are your typical nylon or leather leashes that snap onto your dog’s collar. Most snap leashes are either 4 or 6 fe …

Tug of War is a fun game between dogs or between a person and a dog. I play tug with my Lab mix Ace almost every day. He loves it! But, my dog also growls and shakes the toy and gets overly excited at times, so I can see why some people might think tug encourages a little too much aggression. You may have even heard some people say you should always make sure to “win.” I asked a few others for their thoughts on tug, and here’s what they had to say. Tips for Playing Tug of WarPlay tug o …

Sure, you might recycle your cans and use CFL lightbulbs, but have you “greened” your life for your pooch? There are several things pet owners can do to be more environmentally conscious. Here’s a roundup of some of things you can add to your own routine to be a bit more green. Going Green For Dogs -Pick up their poop. As we shared in a past blog post, pet waste is actually considered a pollutant. It can be harmful to the soil and can even seep into waterways and our d …

Many pet owners face the common concern of dog itchy skin. Constant scratching can leave your furry friend uncomfortable and irritated, whether allergies, environmental factors, or underlying health issues cause it. Watching your dog suffer can be heartbreaking as a pet parent, and finding a solution becomes a top priority.While there are countless over-the-counter medications and treatments available, many of them come with potential side effects or hefty price tags. That’s where natural, at-ho …

As a pet owner, we think we know quite a bit about dogs. But do you know random facts about your furry friends?Are you an expert when it comes to dog trivia? Do you know the answer to every puppy question? Want to prove you are a master of K9 facts? dogIDs has a weekly trivia contest and we wanted to see if our blog friends could get these questions right. Check out these trivia questions to see if you have what it takes to be top dog!dogIDs Dog Trivia Dogs sweat through which part of their bod …