All posts in "Dog Health Care"

10 Ways to Spot a Good Dog Breeder

By Ripley

What makes a good dog breeder? Getting a new puppy is as exciting as Christmas, birthdays, and summer holidays all rolled into one. But don’t let that excitement cloud your judgement… Some dog breeders are more reputable than others. This matters for so many reasons, including the welfare of the mother, puppies, and the health […]

10 Tips to Picking the Right Puppy for You

By Ripley

Back in 1978, the National Canine Defence League hit on a great campaign slogan: “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas”. This simple message says so much in so few words. Genius. Decades later, the sentiment still rings true. Pick a puppy carefully, because this is no throw-away purchase. This article looks at: […]

How to Put on a Dog Harness…Even if your Dog is Wriggly!

By Ripley

Have you ever been confounded by a dog harness? You know how it goes: The advert said this harness stops even the strongest dog pulling. It looks great in the picture. But when the package arrives it contains a tangle of spaghetti-like straps and is more like knitting than a dog harness. Where to start? […]

How to House Train a Puppy: Avoid these 7 Common Mistakes

By Ripley

At long last your new puppy is home! There’s nothing quite like that buzz of excitement, love, and anticipation that accompanies the patter of tiny paws. But wait…then comes the slow dawning realization that puppies poop and pee…and aren’t fussy about where. How to house train a puppy quickly becomes an important question to address. […]

The Behavioural Basics behind Successfully Crate Training a Puppy: A Pup’s Eye View

By Ripley

What makes the difference between a crate being a dog’s happy-place or puppy-prison? When done well, crate training a puppy is of great benefit to both pet parent and fur-friend. But approach things the wrong way and a crate becomes a place of punishment. The answer lies in understanding how a dog thinks. A dog’s […]

A Hop, Skip, & a Jump: Your Guide to Patellar Luxation in Dogs

By Ripley

Does your dog skip or have trouble walking? From time to time does your dog skip on a back leg? Or perhaps they hop a few steps and then run perfectly fine. A common reason for this skipping gait is a loose kneecap; or to give it the correct name, patellar luxation. This article answers […]

Why Does My Dog have Sore Paws? 15 Reasons for Sore Paws in Dogs

By Ripley

Why do dogs get sore paws? Sore paws matter: They are uncomfortable and can cause a dog to limp. If your dog is lame, remember a dog will be reluctant to put weight on a sore paw. Why does my dog have sore paws? Answer this question and you’re part way to getting your fur-friend […]

How to Stop Dogs Barking in 5 Empathetic but Effective Ways

By Ripley

Why dogs are designed to bark, and how to break the habit but not their spirit Is your dog’s voice driving you barking mad? This article is for anyone who has tried and failed to solve a dog barking problem. In this article we look at: The motivation behind barking What dogs are saying by […]

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell?

By Ripley

Are your dog’s loving licks more offensive than affectionate? Dogs lick their pet parents for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because they love them! Licking is an important way that dogs communicate with each other. From the mother licking her newborn pup to the submissive dog licking a dominant one…licks have different meanings. But […]

Why Does Dog Skin Go Black?

By Ripley

Have you ever noticed how your dog’s belly is black in summer, but pink in winter? Or maybe you’ve noticed black patches of dog skin in the armpits or groin. Why does this happen: Why does dog skin go black? The Answer is….Melanoderma! Dog skin darkening is due to increased production of the pigment, melanin. […]