Just like humans, dogs crave – and need – affection and emotional interaction from their human friends. Showing your dog affection helps to establish a bond and, as such, a strong bond between owner and dog also helps to foster good dog behavior.

Figuring out how much love and attention to give your dog depends on your dog’s personality. You, as the owner, probably know best what type of affection your dog likes and when to show it. Affection can be in the form of hugs, belly rubs, scratching, kissing, petting, snuggling, and/or communicating in soothing tones. A dog who craves affection may show it by exhibiting behaviors such as barking excessively, pawing at you, play-biting, nudging you with his/her nose, rolling on back (usually for a belly rub), whining, howling, chewing on shoes or other objects that are not chew toys.

Can you spoil your dog with too much affection? Maybe. But it’s better to err on the side of more affection than less. Giving affection to your dog helps to foster a healthy relationship and lets the dog know that they have a secure and loving place in your home. The beauty of being affectionate with your dog is that the benefits go both ways. Your dog will most likely listen to you (i.e., be a better-behaved pet) and reward you with kisses and cuddles. On the other hand, studies have shown that your loving interactions with your dog will help to lessen your anxiety, lower your heart rate, and increase the release of endorphins (hormones that make you feel good).

To sum it up, showing your dog affection on a regular basis will increase their sense of well-being, and yours as well!

Dogs love to exercise but sometimes doing the same exercise daily can be become boring for their mind and body (hint: this is also true for humans and exercise). While most dogs do need at least one walk per day, you can add in other types of exercises that can take as little as five minutes or you can substitute the walk with something equally active like an agility class. Whatever you decide to do, switching up your dog’s exercise routine will keep them interested and in shape.

Here are some exercise options that your dog is bound to love:

Agility Course. Find a group or class that offers an agility course. This is best for high-energy dogs as they will get plenty of jumping and running in, plus they will develop confidence and new skills.

Fetch. One of the oldest dog games can be played virtually anywhere – in your backyard, at a park or in your living room. Fetch can be a quick 5-minute game or played for an hour or longer (Bonus: race your dog to the ball or stick to get in some exercise for yourself.)

Dog Playdate. Meet up with some of your dog’s buddies at a local dog park and let them play their energy out. Not only is it fun for the dogs, it’s also fun to watch how differently dogs interact with each other than with their human companions.

Tug-of-War. A rope, an old pair of jeans tied into knots, or a stick can make for an easy impromptu tug-of-war game for you and your dog.

Swimming. If your dog loves the water – a lake, ocean, pool – take your dog out for a swim. This exercise is especially great for elder dogs as it enables them to get their exercise in without compromising their joints. It also improves circulation and boosts metabolism.

Treadmill. If you have a treadmill at home, you may be able to train your dog to use it. Start very slow and keep your eye on them. Eventually they may be able to get a good walk/run on it!

Obstacle Course. Set up an obstacle course in your home – using chairs, small tables, step stools, etc., There are many videos online that will give you creative ideas.

Don’t forget that dogs need to be mentally stimulated too. Here are some ideas that you can do daily to keep them entertained and to keep their brain sharp: give them puzzle toys to play with, feed them a meal from a treat-dispensing toy instead of a bowl, and/or teach them commands and tricks (and keep practicing with them).

Have fun as you explore new ways to keep your dog active and mentally stimulated. The result will be a happier, healthier dog who hopefully lives a long, full life by your side.

The Fourth of July is always such a wonderful summertime ritual to celebrate with family, friends and our doggies. Here are a few tips to ensure that your pup stays safe and happy during the holiday.

Leave your dog home and indoors during firework displays. Many dogs are afraid of loud noises and big crowds full of strangers. Your dog may panic and injury himself or herself.

Keep your dog away from fireworks. Not only can lit fireworks, such as sparklers, burn your curious dog, but ingesting fireworks can be toxic. Some fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as arsenic, potassium nitrate, and other heavy metals.

Avoid human sunscreen and insect repellent. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) lists the poisonous effects of sunscreen on your pup as “drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.” In addition, DEET, a common insecticide, may cause neurological issues. Further, oils, candles, insect coils and other citronella-based repellants are irritating toxins that cause severe respiratory illnesses in dogs.

Proper identification. Your dog should always be fitted with proper identification in case he or she wanders off. Consider fitting your pup with microchip identification, ID tags with his or her name and your phone number, or both. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a recent photo of your pup. (Obviously for us RDMs just look at our smart phones!)

Keep your pup away from holiday jewelry and decorations. While glow sticks, rings, necklaces, hats and flags may look cute on your fur baby, he or she may chew and swallow the plastic adornments.

Do not let your dog near the hot barbecue grill. Further, keep matches and lighter fluid out of your dog’s reach. The ASPCA lists chlorates as a harmful chemical substance found in some matches that, if ingested, can cause your pet difficulty in breathing, damage blood cells or even cause kidney disease. If exposed to lighter fluid, your pet may sustain skin irritation on contact, respiratory problems if inhaled, and gastric problems if ingested.

Watch for overheating and dehydration. Too much sun, heat and humidity can be dangerous for your dog. Keep him or her inside on hot days or in a shady, cooler spot. Always make sure to have fresh water on hand and never leave your dog in a car on a hot day period.

Keep the following foods and beverages away from your dog:

• Sweets, candy and gum: Some candies and gum contain the ingredient Xylitol. This sweetener may cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
• Chocolate: In large enough amounts, chocolate and cocoa products can kill your dog. The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine.
• Raisins and grapes: Dogs who eat a large amount of either may go into renal failure.
• Walnuts and macadamia nuts: Though fatalities are rare, as few as 10 nuts can cause frightening symptoms in a small dog, such as muscle weakness, tremors and vomiting. Stick with almonds or peanut butter.

Do you talk to your dog as if you’re talking to a young child or baby or do you talk to your dog as if you’re talking with a neighbor? I’ve always suspected that dogs pick up on tones, just like humans do. I’ve noticed that when I speak to my dogs in a loving voice, they want to curl up next to me on the couch, but when I speak to them in an angry tone, they want to slink away from me.

It turns out that tone does matter when talking to a dog. I came across an interesting study about how “dog-directed speech”, a high-pitched rhythmic speech pattern similar to how humans talk to babies, can improve their attention and help them bond with humans.

In the study published by Science Daily, the research team did a series of tests with adult dogs and humans where they delivered dog-directed speech with dog-related phrases (such as “You’re a good dog” and “Shall we go for a walk?”) and adult-directed speech with no dog-related content. The researchers observed the dogs’ attention following the phrases and who the dogs wanted to physically interact with. Then they tried dog-directed speech with no dog-related content, dog-directed speech with non-dog related words, and adult-directed speech with dog related words. The overall result was that dogs liked to hear dog-related content spoken in dog-directed speech, the high-pitched rhythmic pattern.

This information is especially good to know for those who are integrating puppies or new dogs into their home. It’s also a reminder for all dog owners that what you say to your dog – and how you say it – can make an impact in their behavior.

I like to feed my family homemade food because I want to avoid fillers and preservatives that can be found in processed food – and the same goes for my dogs. Making dog food and dog treats allows me to know exactly what I’m feeding my furry friends. Knowing that we all lead busy lives, I look for simple recipes where I can keep the ingredients stocked in my pantry. This DIY two-ingredient dog treat recipe doesn’t get any simpler.

As you all know, I am a huge proponent of sharing dog-friendly vegetables and fruits with Gatsby and Daisy for meals and treats. But buying everything organic can become expensive. Thank goodness for our friends at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Each year the EWG updates its Shopper’s Guide to present the newest “Dirty Dozen Plus” list – produce that contains the highest pesticide residues, as well as the “Clean Fifteen” list – produce least likely to hold pesticide residues. This will help you save money because it highlights which foods you should buy organic and which conventional foods you should feel safe feeding to your family.

The 2019 Dirty Dozen Plus Foods List:

• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Grapes
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Pears
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Hot Peppers

The 2019 Clean 15 Foods List:

• Avocados
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Frozen Sweet Peas
• Onions
• Papayas
• Eggplants
• Asparagus
• Kiwis
• Cabbages
• Cauliflower
• Cantaloupes
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Honeydew Melons