Does your dog practically do cartwheels when you pick up the leash? If so, you may have taught them well to be excited about fitness! January is National Walk Your Pet Month, and while there have been movements to have “leash-free” communities, there are good reasons to keep your pet leashed in public places, no matter how well-behaved your dog is.

If you grew up in the '80s or ’90s, then you know the highlight of staying home from school sick was watching “The Price is Right.” For over 30 years, Bob Barker signed off with, “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.” For those who have grown up in the 2000s, Drew Carey has continued the mantra.

When it comes to positive reinforcement and rewarding your dog for good behavior or learning a new command, treats are obviously the first thing that pet owners tend to rely on. They are convenient and effective, especially when it comes to training your pet.

Basic obedience training is an essential part of you and your dog’s relationship. Obedience training establishes the communication between you and your dog to ensure you can maintain control of them with basic commands. There are a few basic commands that should be at the top of the list to learn.

Appropriate socialization in the first few months of life is critical for healthy social development of puppies. Proper exposure to new places and people can reduce the incidence of fear-based behavior problems later in the dog’s life. Let’s look at how and why you should socialize your new puppy!

If a single knock at the door sends your dog scurrying under the bed or he starts barking every time the doorbell rings, it’s probably safe to say you both dread surprise guests and package deliveries, not to mention Halloween. But could it mean something’s wrong?

If your dog shows excessive fear toward these and other noises, like fireworks, there’s a chance he may be suffering from noise aversion.

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not occasionally embarrassed or downright disgusted by some of their habits. From rear-sniffing to rolling in anything with a repulsive smell, nothing seems to be quite as offensive to dog lovers as coprophagia—that is, eating poop.

Receiving slobbery kisses from our canine companions is part of the dog-loving package, but do you ever wonder why they do this?

Turns out, there are lots of reasons dogs like to put their tongues on you, ranging from instinct, to affection, to stress. Let’s take a look.