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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts

The best dog food for small dogs combines a healthy balance of nutrition and calories.

The Best Food for Small Dogs

There may be some benefits to feeding your little dog a diet specifically formulated to target many of the issues small breeds face. When looking at labels for healthy dog foods for small dogs, consider these elements:
Dog longevity drugs are an active area of research, and progress has been made in helping dogs live longer.

Canine Longevity Drugs

Dog longevity miracle drugs don’t really exist. That said, there are drugs under study and even under the FDA’s watch that might increase quality and quantity of life for some dogs in the near future
Idiopathic epilepsy in dogs is a difficult but manageable condition.

Managing Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs

Idiopathic epilepsy affects young dogs between the ages of six months and six years. As the name implies, the cause of idiopathic epilepsy is unknown. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other causes of seizures must be ruled out before making this diagnosis.
Dogs cannot have down syndrome, but they can other conditions that have a superficial resemblance.

Can My Dog Have Down Syndrome? (and Other Questions About Dog Genetics)

While dogs can’t have Down Syndrome, they can possess chromosomal abnormalities that lead to conditions similar to that disorder. These include developmental disabilities, difficulty with coordination, as well as distinct physical features such as a flattened face, shorter limbs, and smaller stature.
You can put hydrocortisone on your dog

Can I Put Hydrocortisone On My Dog?

Hydrocortisone can be used topically in dogs, but its use should be limited. It should be used only on intact skin, not open wounds, or infected skin.
How long can you leave a puppy alone? Not long.

Leaving Your New Puppy

I have a sign hanging near my back door that says, “If I can’t bring my dog I’m not going.” Of course, it is meant to be humorous, but it is truer than I care to admit. I am lucky in that, as a trainer, I have been able to bring my dogs almost everywhere I go. Not everyone is as fortunate. Let’s see if I can help you make plans for your puppy, should you be forced to leave him home alone.
Treats and patience are an important part of teaching a dog to lay down.

How to Teach a Dog to Lie Down

Are you having a difficult time teaching your dog to lie down? With some dogs, it’s more difficult than others, but it’s not impossible. The reason is likely that you are not properly communicating what you want. In some cases, however, timid dogs are less comfortable lying down. It’s up to you, as the trainer, to determine where your difficulties lie.
An owner applies medication to ringworm on a dog's nose with a cotton swab..

How Do Dogs Get Ringworm?

Dogs can get ringworm from other dogs or from humans or any other animal that has an active infection.
The best dog sports for reactive dogs will help the dog relax and focus.

Dog Sports for Reactive Dogs

Dog Sports. These two words conjure up a vision of fun for you and your dog. But what if your dog is reactive to either other dogs or humans or both? Are some dog sports better than others for dogs with reactive behaviors? The answer is yes. We will explain which sports are better choices for reactive dogs and which ones are probably best left alone.
You cannot give your dog ibuprofen as it is toxic to them.

Can You Give a Dog Ibuprofen?

As responsible pet owners, we often want to help our dogs feel better when they are in pain. Many of us have ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), a common over-the-counter pain reliever, in our medicine cabinets and wonder if the same benefits extend to our pets. They do not. Ibuprofen is extremely toxic to dogs and should never be given to them under any circumstances. Even small amounts can cause severe health issues, including stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and neurological damage.
Pimobendan for dogs helps the heart pump blood more efficiently.

Pimobendan for Dogs

If you’ve had a dog with heart disease, you may know pimobendan by its brand name, Vetmedin. It’s used to treat dogs experiencing congestive heart failure due to a variety of different causative health problems.
Baking soda is not a very effective flea killer on its own.

How to Kill Fleas In Your Household

Baking soda can dehydrate fleas, but it and other common home remedies doesn't kill them in the numbers needed to deal with even a mild infestation. Lets sort through the myths and find out what home and chemical treatments are an effective flea killing solution.
Caring for a blind dog or a dog who goes blind with age can be a challenge.

Life with a Blind Dog

If dogs live long enough—and sometimes even when they’re young—at some point they’re probably going to experience vision loss. The good news is that a blind dog can usually adjust well to their new condition, ramping up use of smell and hearing and sometimes even whiskers to navigate their environment. There are ways you can help them, too.
When your dog is not drinking water there may be several reasons why.

Reasons Why Your Dog is Not Drinking Water

There are three general reasons why your dog might not be drinking water: she doesn’t feel good, the available water sources aren’t great, or she is getting water somewhere other than her water bowl. It is easy to monitor your dog’s water intake, and with a little extra consideration you can figure out if your dog is not drinking enough and a possible reason why.

Latest Blog

Old Dog, New Dog

I had the opportunity to read a pre-publication proof of WDJ contributor Kathy Callahan’s newest book, co-authored with Helen St. Pierre, and I can’t recommend the book strongly enough. Old Dog, New Dog helps dog owners anticipate the potential pitfalls of bringing a new young dog into a home already inhabited by a senior dog—and adroitly steer around them in order to seamlessly create a joyful, trauma-free blended canine family.