Life with dogs is shaped by daily routines, individual personalities, and a lot of learning along the way. This section reflects the perspective of people who live with dogs of different breeds, sizes, and stages of life.
The articles here focus on practical care, behavior, health, and everyday decisions, grounded in real experience rather than rigid rules.
Scroll on to explore the articles below.
by Lauren Edwards
Adopting a dog to enhance your family unit is not a decision you should take lightly. You need to put as much careful planning into the adoption process as you would in buying a house, preparing for a baby or when organizing your wedding. Researching the right breed for your circumstances is of paramount importance, as unfortunately many prospective owners rush into the decision, often swayed by a new designer breed, without considering what the animal may be like.
It is a good idea before embarking on the dog adoption process that you evaluate how your life could fit around a dog and not how a dog could fit into your life. You need to calculate how long the dog may be left alone during the day if your family is at work or school, as more than four hours is not really acceptable. Furthermore, you need to decide if you can put aside time to exercise your new canine friend and whether you would be prepared to train it. Puppies will need training whether for toilet needs or for when you are walking them.
Dog owners’ yards can go in one of two directions: they’re either a haven where dog and master can play fetch and enjoy time together, or they can become wastelands…
As pet owners, we are always battling pet stains and odors. This happens a lot more when there is a new puppy or kitten involved, but happens all too often…
by James Cave You’ve been planning it for months, years even: the time off has been agreed, you’ve saved up for months and you’ve done enough research to compile a…
For years and years Bob Barker said to all the viewers at the end of The Price is Right “Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have…
by Stephen Burroughs I try to be a responsible pet owner at all times, but in the end I’m only human. On one autumn afternoon I let a friend borrow…
Having your new puppy come home is always an exciting but stressful time. There’s so much to think about that it can seem overwhelming, but fear not – just remember,…
Dogs are often termed as man’s most loyal friends. Dog owners understand several benefits of having a dog and are often in a better position to explain to people (dog…
Two years ago I retired and began a whole new life unfamiliar to me. After years in the work force and living by a strict work schedule I found myself with freedom. Freedom to get up when I woke up, shower in the middle of the day, get groceries on a week day and countless luxuries I had never experienced.
The only responsibility I did have was to care for my 13 year old blonde Cocker Spaniel. Normal household chores like meals, laundry and tending to husband were a walk in the park since I had 24/7 to accomplish those tasks. My sweet furry companion was a bit more time consuming since her age had also brought along some health issues.
Taking your pet to obedience training lessons can seem like a big, scary step to take. What if they judge your pet? What if they judge your capability as an…