Benefits of Sleeping with your Pet

Every night, I fall asleep to the sound of my cat purring loudly while he "makes biscuits" on my blanket. At some point during the night, he ends up sandwiching himself between me and my fiancé. It wasn't until my cat needed to be hospitalized overnight for a urethral blockage that I realized just how much I need my cat's warm, furry, purring presence at night. For better or for worse, I've realized that I simply can't sleep without my kitty! I'm not alone, either; a survey by Sealy Mattresses found that more than two-thirds of pet owners sleep with their animals. Fortunately for us, there are many benefits associated with this common practice.

The most obvious benefit associated with co-sleeping with a pet is the bond it fosters between pet and owner. There are few activities more intimate than sleeping side-by-side with another living creature. That's the reason that almost all social animals (including humans, until very recently) sleep in big "piles" that include all members of an extended family. Sleeping with your pooch or kitty nestled against you reassures yourself (and your pet) that you trust each other and feel safe together. These nap-time bonds are vital for strengthening your relationship with your pet.

A strong bond between pet and owner has been shown to improve the health of both the animal and his master. The CDC acknowledges that pet ownership improves heart health and reduces feelings of loneliness. If you work full-time and don't get to spend many of your waking hours with your pet, you can help to reap the benefits of pet ownership by spending time with your pet while you snooze. Nighttime bonding can make up for daytime separation, giving you the health benefits of spending time with your pet.

Finally, sleep-sharing with your pooch or kitty could help to improve your mental health. I work from home as a freelance writer, and I would have a very lonely job if it weren't for my cat's presence in my life. The snuggles, kisses and presence of a pet can help to ease feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, especially among people who have little contact with other people. This is precisely why therapy dogs are so highly valued in nursing homes, where they can provide companionship to the sick and elderly.

Unfortunately, sleeping with your pet isn't entirely risk-free. If you choose to sleep with your pet, make sure to take common-sense precautions to keep yourself (and your pet) safe and healthy. Visit your vet regularly to keep your pets free of intestinal parasites and fleas. By following practical hygiene guidelines, you can reap the benefits of sleeping with your pet without taking unnecessary risks.

Pet Food Stamps: A Scam?

When Pet Food Stamps, a nonprofit organization to provide pet food to low-income families, first made its debut, it gained national media attention. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, since a pet food program for low-income families could reduce strain on animal shelters, which are often forced to take in (and often kill) cats and dogs whose owners can no longer afford them. In less than a year, Pet Food Stamps reported receiving 225,000 applications from desperate families all over the United States. Almost all of those applicants, still empty-handed, have declared Pet Food Stamps a scam.

One year and seven months after the start-up of Pet Food Stamps, the organization's Facebook pagecontains dozens upon dozens of reviews and comments from people saying that they submitted applications but never received a response. The application process, which requires sending proof of identity, personal contact information, verification of income, and photos and detailed information about pets, supposedly takes "up to eight weeks" to complete, according to Pet Food Stamps, but hundreds of applicants claim that they applied a year ago or more. The website's only positive public reviews are from people supporting the nonprofit's goal. No one has verified that they, in fact, received assistance from Pet Food Stamps.

In November of 2013, Channel 3000 reported that there were extensive customer complaints about Pet Food Stamps from applicants who never heard a response, and that the New York Attorney General was in the process of investigating the nonprofit organization. Donors and applicants alike are understandably concerned. Is the private identifying information of Pet Food Stamp applicants safe? And, if the organization's funds aren't going to pet owners in need, where are they going?

Mark Okon, the founder of Pet Food Stamps, told Channel 3000 that the applicants' data is carefully encrypted, but concerned applicants aren't likely to take that claim at face value. Scam Adviser lists the Pet Food Stamps website as "High Risk," citing several red-flags in the website's registration. Scam Adviser also contains the complaints of dozens of Pet Food Stamp applicants who believe that their information was stolen for the purposes of fraud or theft. Although it seems unlikely that Pet Food Stamps would steal the information of people who are known and verified to have low income and few resources, that doesn't necessarily alleviate the concerns of its applicants, who have little or nothing to spare and can't risk being the victims of theft.

Donors are likely to be equally concerned. Anyone donating to Pet Food Stamps clearly has the intent of helping animals and people in times of desperate need, not lining the pockets of a scam artist. But there is little reassurance that the organization's funds are being used as reported. In October of 2013, the owner of PetFlow, which Pet Food Stamps lists as its only supplier, said that he had not received an order from Pet Food Stamps in several months. In response to an inquiry in April 2014, PetFlow confirmed that it does indeed have a standing relationship with Pet Food Stamps, but could not immediately disclose the frequency or value of orders from the nonprofit.

Speaking to Channel 3000, Mark Okon defended his organization, stating, "Calling somebody a scam for not getting you free food quickly enough seems just a little bit irrational to me." He cited very high numbers of applications and said that he can not process them quickly and that he works over 80 hours per week attempting to juggle the management of his nonprofit. The organization's Facebook page is, however, updated several times daily and is instantly moderated, with most negative comments deleted within seconds or minutes. Perhaps Pet Food Stamps would have more time to process applications if its operator didn't have to spend so much time defending himself against people who claim that his organization is a scam.

As of April 2014, Pet Food Stamps remains an IRS-registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and its owner has not been convicted of any form of identity fraud or theft, so there is no way to say with certainty that the organization is-- or is not-- a scam. However, with hundreds of thousands of applicants waiting for assistance, and no sign that they will be answered soon, it's probably best for low-income pet owners to seed help elsewhere. An answer from Pet Food Stamps itself likely won't arrive any time in the foreseeable future.

5 Tips for Keeping Border Collies in Apartments

When I was seven, I unknowingly launched my career as a writer by authoring a little "book"-- spiral-bound and laminated-- entitled, "Molly, the Best Dog in the World." It was dedicated to my father's border collie, who I still remember as the smartest and most loyal dog I ever owned. In my little book, I recounted my favorite times with Molly: when she would go fishing with us and alert us when she noticed the bob wobbling, when she followed us miles down the road if we wouldn't let her into the car, and the time she gruesomely but heroically disemboweled a stray chow that was poised to attack me. I knew that I wanted a "Molly" of my own when I grew up, but there was one problem: my father lived with his border collie on several acres of farmland, while I as an adult live in a little two-bedroom apartment.

Border collies are undoubtedly bred for life in the country, not in little apartments, but you can keep a border collie in an apartment if you do so appropriately. With the help and guidance of a local rescue group, dog training center, and veterinarian, I'm giving my border collie-corgi mix, Maggie, a wonderful life in an apartment. It's not easy, border collies can live in apartments if you act responsibly. Here are five rules for keeping border collies in an apartment.

1. Know what you're getting into.

Do research on border collies before you adopt one, whether you live in an apartment or not. Understand that border collies are intelligent, high-maintenance, high-energy dogs. They were bred for centuries to work hard and run free, not to sit calmly in your lap while you watch TV. A border collie's herding instincts are strong and the breed has a tendency toward neurosis and destructive behavior if doesn't have plenty of mental and physical stimulation. I know one border collie who chewed off her own tail when confined to an apartment for several hours per day. These are collies, not shih tzus.

2. Get your dog a job.

For some breeds, "jobs" are optional. For border collies in apartments, they are mandatory. Your dog needs to have something that she "does." Maggie's "job" involves agility courses at our local dog training center. For other apartment dogs, the "job" might be simple daily tasks like fetching the remote or collecting all of her toys daily and putting them into a box. A border collie in an apartment needs something to do that involves intensive training and a deliberate, specific goal.

3. Give your border collie lots and lots of exercise.

When most people talk about dogs needing exercise, they're referring to the need for physical fitness. In the case of an apartment-dwelling border collie, exercise goes far beyond that: it's essential to the animal's mental health, as well. A border collie needs an opportunity to run, jump, fetch, and walk not just once or twice a day, but many times per day. That means rain or shine, hot or cold, you need to get your dog outdoors. Daily visits to the dog park or long daily walks (at least a mile or two) are minimally necessary for apartment-dwelling border collies.

4. Don't leave your border collie home alone.

If you work full-time outside the home and live in an apartment, a border collie is out of the question. That's because when a border collie can't have a lot of space, you need to be able to make up for it with a lot of attention, and that's something you simply can't give if you work outside the home full-time. I'm only able to give my Maggie a good life in an apartment because I work from home as a writer and can attend to her needs when necessary. A border collie left home alone in an apartment is bound to be anxious and bored, but they can be perfect apartment pets for people who are retired, stay-at-home parents, work from home, or have certain disabilities.

5. Make sure your landlord and breeder or shelter know.

Some landlords will not permit herding dogs in apartments, and some border collie breeders and animal rescue groups will not allow border collies to go to apartment homes. These regulations are understandable, so make sure you have a detailed discussion with your apartment's leasing office and with your breeder or rescue group explaining why and how you plan to be able to responsibly keep a border collie in an apartment. If you're clear about your intentions and ability to give your dog the life she needs and deserves, you will likely be permitted to have your border collie in your apartment, but be prepared to answer a lot of questions and to prove your ability to care for these high-need animals. Border collies are wonderful pets and can thrive in apartments if they get proper care, but be prepared for a demanding and high-need animal if you choose to adopt a border collie and live in an apartment.

How to Talk to Your Dog

No tips can give you the ability to engage in fluent conversations with your pet, but there are several useful guidelines that can help you talk to your dog. Here are a few ways that you can talk so that your dog will listen.

1. Use that voice-- you know the one. Is hims your widdle schnuckum-puckum puggle-poo? Tell him so! As silly as we animal-people look when baby-talking our dogs, many of us do it because our dogs listen best when they hear the high, sing-songy sounds associated with affection. Dogs are more keen to listen to baby-talking because they associate it with affection and learn that those tones are reserved for them.

2. Say the dog's name first, not last. If you say, "Sit, Rover!," your dog starts listening at "Rover"-- and completely tunes out the command. However, if you say, "Rover, sit!" he will begin paying attention before the command comes out of your mouth. A dog who appears to be ignoring or disobeying his owner may be only hearing his name after commands are spoken.

3. Don't combine words or phrases. If you use "down" to mean, "Get off the furniture," what's your dog going to think when he hears "sit down," or "lie down?" Your dog will feel confused if he hears command composed of unrelated words and phrases. Be consistent and use "sit," "lie," and "down" as different commands.

4. Don't use negatives. It's a good idea to teach your dog the word "no." In fact, that's probably the single most important word he can learn. Unfortunately, though, your dog is likely incapable of understanding negative sentence structures, such as "Don't do that!" and "Not that ball." He'll only hear "DO THAT!" and "THAT BALL," ignoring the negative qualifiers. Keep things simple and avoid using these phrases in your communications with your pooch.

5. Give rewards. Keep your dog's attention by offering treats consistently when he obeys you and gives you his undivided attention. Dogs are rarely fully motivated by praise alone, and dog-treats are a great way to reinforce dogs' positive behaviors. Be sure to use healthy treats, and don't over-feed your dog.

6. Keep it positive. Maintain a good attitude and an affectionate tone while communicating with your dog. It's often necessary to be firm, but this doesn't mean that your interactions with your dog must be domineering and commanding at all times. Most of the time, your dog is a friend, not a subservient. Speak to your dog in a manner that communicates both strength and respect.

7. Get others to use the same techniques. You don't want everyone in your family undoing the trainig you provide for your dog. Make sure that your family members use the same rules and techniques you use to talk to your dog. This will help to improve progress and prevent setbacks.

Worst Dog Breeds for Apartments

When seeking a dog breed compatible with apartment living, most prospective pet-guardians consider a single factor: size. It is certainly true that large dogs are generally more difficult than small dogs to house in an apartment. However, size is one of many factors that influence a dog's compatibility with apartment living. Other considerations, including the dog's aggressiveness and level of activity, play a role in determining whether the dog can comfortably and happily live in an apartment.

While there will always be dogs who defy the typical behaviors of their breed, some dog breeds are almost universally incompatible with apartment lifestyles. Here are a few breeds that you should generally shy away from if you live in an apartment.

Foxhounds

Both the English foxhound and the American foxhound are incredibly active breeds, bred for running long distances in packs. Pent up in a small apartment, the foxhound will quickly become anxious, irritable and destructive. If you do keep a foxhound in an apartment, take care to exercise the dog for at least one to two hours each day.

Herding Dogs

Herding dogs such as border collies, Old English sheepdogs, German shepherds, and Australian shepherds comprise the most active and intelligent breeds in the AKC. Centuries of selective breeding have given these dogs a powerful work ethic and a need for mental stimulation. Confined to an apartment, these breeds can become extremely neurotic.

Mastiffs 
All breeds of mastiff, including the bull mastiff, Tibetan mastiff, and Spanish mastiff, are inappropriate for apartment living-- if for no other reason than their sheer size. Mastiffs kept in apartments can become very aggressive, and even dangerous, toward their owners and visitors. Urban lifestyles simply don't suit these giants.

Sled Dogs 
Dog breeds historically used to pull sleds, such as the Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, samoyed, and American Eskimo spitz, rarely do well in apartments. Like herding dogs, these breeds have an innate instinct to run, learn, and work. Without an outlet for these activities, the dog can resort to aggression and misbehavior.

Dalmatians 
A few dalmatians can adapt to apartment environments, but most feel overly confined in such a small space. Dalmatians are relatively large and have a need for daily exercise. These spotted beauties need to run, jump and chase in order to feel happy and satisfied. If you can't provide that in your apartment, a dalmatian is not for you.

Poodles

Toy and miniature poodles may be small enough to fit into an apartment, but they require large amounts of exercise. True to their gundog roots, even the smallest of poodles feel a need to run, chase, and catch. Standard poodles are both behaviorally and physically maladapted for apartment living.

Sighthounds

Sight hounds are quick, active and alert by nature. Greyhounds, wolfhounds, Afghan hounds, borzois and whippets are all, for the most part, poorly adapted to apartment living. With regular exercise, you can help your sighthound to overcome some of the behavioral challenges associated with the breed, but larger sighthounds are less likely to overcome them.

How Long Can My Pet Be Left Alone?

I love my animals, but deciding what to do with them when I leave town is always hard. One of the greatest inconveniences of pet ownership is dealing with your pets while you're on vacation or otherwise not at home . Given the cost of boarding, the relative invasiveness of hiring a pet sitter, and the impracticality of bringing your pet with you, it's not unreasonable to wonder if your pet can be left home unattended-- and for how long. The answer will ultimately depend upon what kind of pet you have and the animal's individual needs.

Here are some of the most popular pets and how long they can safely be left home alone.

Freshwater Fish

Freshwater fish can be left alone much longer than relatively high-maintenance pets. I have been keeping ornamental fish for years and have found that it's generally fine to leave them unattended for as long as one week. Most types of freshwater fish are well-adapted to survive during times of famine and mild to moderate fluctuations in water quality. Avoid "vacation feeders," since these are unnecessary and tend to degrade water quality (a much worse problem for your fish than brief famine). Be sure to perform water changes both before and after your vacation.

Saltwater Fish

Because the chemistry of a saltwater aquarium is more complicated than a freshwater aquarium and changes in lighting and chemistry can pose a bigger threat to these fish, it's best to leave your saltwater fish home alone no longer than 48 hours. Get in touch with aquarium stores in your area to get help with maintaining your saltwater tank in your absence.

Rodents

Rodents such as rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs tend to do just fine when their owners are away on vacation, provided they are left with a clean cage and copious amounts of food and water. In my experience, it's acceptable to leave adult rodents unattended for as long as five days. Leave several filled water bottles (far more than you think your pets will need) to minimize the possibility that they will run out of water. Be sure to clean the cage immediately when you return home.

Rabbits

I breed rabbits and have often had to deal with leaving my pets unattended for short periods of time when I've had to leave town. My two bunnies have always done just fine by themselves for periods of three days or less. I prepare for the trip by giving each bunny three twenty-ounce water bottles and several large bowls of water. Thus far, this amount has been more than sufficient for three days. Be sure to take your rabbit out of his cage and thoroughly clean it after returning home.

Birds

I talked to several friends who own birds to find out what the best course of action is for a bird whose guardians are on vacation. It seems that, because birds are so highly emotional and prone to separation anxiety, it's never a good idea to leave them completely unattended for more than a day. A bird needs to be boarded or left in the care of a qualified pet-sitter when its owners aer out of town.

Cats

Compared to many other animals, cats are fairly independent and can be left unsupervised for a decent period of time. I've left my cat unattended for as long as two days, provided with a clean litterbox, automatic feeder, and essentially limitless supply of water. According to my vet, cats who are even more independent than mine might be safe along for three days or more given an additional clean litter box and even more food and water.

Dogs

Unlike some household pets, dogs absolutely must be able to go outside to pee and poop-- meaning that they can't be left home alone for more than about 8-10 hours without risking an accident. Dogs are also prone to separation anxiety and need interaction from their guardians, so they may be traumatized by an extended period of time with no human interaction. If you're going out of town, your only real option as a dog owner is to leave your pet with a competent caregiver.

Of course, these requirements will vary depending on specific factors, like your pet's personality, your pet's health, and your willingness to deal with possible behavioral problems or messes when you return home. In general, hiring a pet sitter or boarder is the best bet for even a short trip-- but, if you must leave your pet at home unattended, it can be an option for short periods of time. Discuss and questions or concerns with your veterinarian before leaving your pet home alone. 

What Your Dog Really Wants

We have a tendency to misunderstand our dogs to fit our human-centered view of the world. Our pets are constantly anthropomorphized. We dress our pooches up in human-like clothes and take them to see Santa at Christmastime. These little amusements do no harm, but they're representative of a common problem: many dog owners aren't letting their dogs be dogs. Your pet has many needs beyond the obvious. Here are some of the things your dog really wants from you.

1. Your dog wants companionship-more than just you. Dogs are naturally inclined to live in packs-- not just small family units of two or three individuals, but big, extended families where they can coexist with a dozen or more friends and relatives. If you have a small family, it's crucial to ensure that your dog gets plenty of interaction with other companions (both human and canine). Join a dog-lover's group in your area so your dog can be a regular part of a larger social unit, or consider putting him in a doggy-daycare program so he'll have friends and playmates while you're away. You alone can't meet your dog's social needs, so make sure he has other ways of meeting them.

2. Your dog wants discipline. Many people think of obedience training as an optional part of dog ownership-something that owners should do for problematic dogs, or to teach them tricks for the sake of fun. While your dog may not need formal obedience training, he does need structured discipline. Teaching your dog to obey you isn't just a fun thing you should do to show off to your friends; it's actually essential for his mental health. Dogs need and crave authority from the leaders of their "packs." Without it, they'll tend to claim that authority for themselves, leading to behavioral problems. Give your dog structure and authority, and he'll thank you for it.

3. Your dog wants tasks. If you've ever known a neurotic dog, you know just how hard life can be for an intelligent animal who doesn't feel a sense of purpose. We've spent thousands of years breeding dogs so that they want to work. Collies are born wanting to herd, retrievers are born ready to retrieve, and hounds are ready to assist the hunt. Give your dog everyday tasks that he can do to make himself feel like he's contributing. Teach your dog "tricks" like bringing you the remote, peacefully guarding the door, and keeping track of your cats or kids. These behaviors, while cute, also improve your pet's mental health by making him feel like he belongs and is helpful to your family.

4. Your dog wants to be part of your family (really). Your dog craves complete inclusion in your family-- not as the animal in the back yard who occasionally gets treats and cuddles, but as a contributing member of your pack. Your dog needs and deserves to be included in the activities that define you as a family: outings to the park, rainy evenings snuggled on the couch, and perhaps even the occasional vacation. Make sure that your dog isn't excluded unnecessarily from your family's identity and structure.

5. Your dog wants (and needs) excellent health care. This should be obvious, but it's amazing how many pet-parents overlook this simple fact. Your dog needs and deserves for his health to be a main priority. Frequent exercise for dogs is not optional; it's essential. Annual trips to the vet for vaccines and check-ups are also just as critical for pets as they are for children. Dogs coping with chronic disease like obesity, diabetes, or arthritis need treatment to the same degree as their human counterparts. Make sure that your dog gets the very best you can afford in nutrition and health care.

Dogs have many needs and desires beyond a bowl of dog food and a dry place to sleep. They are intelligent, social animals who can't thrive without proper, attentive, loving care from competent, responsible owners. If you want to give your pet the life he deserves, make every possible effort to meet his needs on every level.

Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors with your Dog this Fall

Autumn can by a remarkable time for dogs and their owners. Finally, temperatures have cooled enough that you can walk your dog without being overwhelmed by heat or the fear of burning her paws-- but the chill of winter hasn't set in either. This is a perfect time to really make a point of enjoying the outdoors. Here are some tips for making the most of your outdoor time with your dog this fall.

1. Schedule your pet's annual vet visit. If it's been more than a year since your dog last went to the vet for a check-up, the change in seasons might be a good reminder. Before heading outdoors this fall, your dog needs to be screened for conditions like obesity, heartworms, arthritis, and fleas, and given appropriate preventative treatments. These will all be important in preparing your pet for the great outdoors this fall.

2. Make walks productive. If you've got kids in school, now's the time of year when they'll be heading back for the year. What a great opportunity to exercise your dog while also heading out on a mission! Bring your pooch with you while you walk your kids to school. It will provide you, your dog, and your child all with an important opportunity to exercise and bond.

3. Ease back into exercise. The summer heat this year was excruciating, so many dogs and owners eased up on exercising. Now that you'll have more comfortable time outdoors, take it slow. You and your dog might both need a few weeks of shorter walks while you work your way back up to your pre-summer level of fitness.

4. Watch out for mushrooms. According to the ASPCA, mushrooms tend to make their appearances in spring and fall. Although the vast majority are not poisonous, those that are toxic can cause serious problems for dogs. Don't let your dogs investigate any mushrooms you encounter while walking, or he might end up with a belly full of poison.

5. Make the most of afternoons. In fall, mornings and nights tend to be uncomfortably chilly, while high noon can still be a tad too hot. Part of the joy of fall is the opportunity to take your dog outdoors in the afternoon-- the time of day when you're both most likely to feel energetic and bored.

6. Get social. Dogs are innately social animals, and so are people-- so use your outdoor time with your dog this fall to make friends for both of you. Visit your local dog park or join a dog-lover's group in your area. You'll both have the opportunity to make new acquaintances while spending time outdoors.

7. Keep allergies managed. Nationwide, allergies tend to kick in for humans and pets alike during the fall. Ragweed bursts into bloom and can be intensely irritating to your eyes, nose, and skin (and the same goes for your pet). To make the outdoors more enjoyable for both of you, keep these symptoms managed. If your pet gets the seasonal sniffles, talk to his vet about giving him an antihistamine before walks.

8. Find the best scenic trails in your area. Every region has its hidden fall treasures: those areas that light up with dazzling colors as autumn sets in. Ask around about the best dog-friendly hiking trails, parks, and greenways in your area where you can see the seasonal changes in all their splendor. (Always follow local regulations for parks that don't allow pooches, of course!)

9. Look out for snakes. The ASPCA warns that many snake bites against dogs happen in the autumn, because snakes are preparing for hibernation and more irritable than usual. Find out about venomous snakes in your area and how best to avoid them. If water moccasins are a problem in your region, for example, the walk through the bottomlands might not be a good idea. Watch your step while you're on the move with your pet and call a vet immediately if he gets bitten.

10. Stay hydrated. It might not be as hot as summer anymore, but that doesn't mean you're in the clear when it comes to the risk of dehydration. Bring a pair of water bottles with you-- one for you and one for your furry friend-- even if it doesn't seem too hot out. This is especially important if you'll be hiking on a trail without immediate access to drinking water.

Tips to Socialize Your Dog

Dogs are inherently social creatures. Like people, they thrive with frequent interaction and tend to become withdrawn, timid, and depressed when they don't get enough socialization. Very few people would feel content spending all their time with just one or two individuals-- a small family, alone, isn't enough to meet anyone's social needs. The same is true for dogs. As a responsible owner, you owe it to your pet to make sure that he gets plenty of social interaction with other animals-- preferably the sort of interaction that enables long-term bonding. Here are some tips for helping your dog socialize.

Visit the dog park.

Plenty of parks allow dogs, but parks made specifically for dogs and their owners are the best opportunities for getting dogs exercising and socializing. Take your pet to your area's dog park at least a few times a week for exercise, and he'll likely make plenty of good friends while he's there. There's a drawback to this, though: friendships made at the dog park are fast and fleeting. Your dog may never see his new "friends" again, unless they are also regulars, so other options for socializing may be preferable.

Get your pup in school.

Regular attendance at dog classes-- obedience training, agility training, herding lessons, and even training for simple tricks-- can help to improve your dog's behavior and mental health while also giving him an opportunity to associate regularly with other dogs. Check in your area for dog schools; you might be surprised by how many classes are available where you and your dog can learn new skills while socializing with other pets and owners. This also gives you a much-needed chance to establish authority over your pet-- a mandatory prerequisite before he socializes with other animals, since you need to know that he will obey you and interact politely with other dogs.

Join a dog-lover's club.

Social groups for dog lovers exist in cities of all sizes. You might even find groups specific to your dog's breed or category. These groups have frequent events like weekly walks and play-dates at local dog parks. These are important because they provide a consistent social group that your dog will quickly come to recognize as his "pack." He's likely to be much happier if he gets to visit his friends regularly for these fun events, and you may make some friends yourself!

Send your pup to daycare.

It's only natural that your dog will get bored during the day, while you head off to work or run errands. No social animal does well all by himself, especially for extended periods of time-- and dog toys stop being fun after a couple of hours. Call doggy daycares in your area and look into sending your dog there at least a few times per week. Note that they'll need up-to-date vaccine and physical records before letting your pooch in, so now's a good time to schedule a visit for your dog's annual check-up.

Dogs need and deserve to have active social lives, and they can't truly thrive without frequent, positive interaction from both human and animal companions. By taking steps to allow your pet to socialize with others, you can dramatically improve his quality of life.

5 Tips for Dogs with Vet Anxiety

My border collie is one incredibly nervous dog. Although she's a fifty-pound chunk of dog, she shivers and whimpers like a tiny Chihuahua when something upsets her. That means that, at the vet's office, she used to nearly jump out of her skin. It once took me and two vet techs restraining and muzzling her just to get her still enough to tolerate a shot. Luckily, I found a better way. While she's not happy about going to the vet, it's no longer a crisis. Here are some ways to soothe your dog's vet-related anxiety. 

1. Wear your dog out. If your dog isn't too sick to go for a long, brisk walk or a romp in the park, take her out and make sure she gets lots of exercise before going to the vet. This will wear her out so she doesn't have a lot of built-up energy to contributing to her anxiety.

2. Take her to the vet when she's well. It's a good idea to make sure your dog gets a check-up at least once a year, and make sure that these visits are calm and relaxed when she has them. Bring lots of treats and shower her with attention. She'll have fewer bad associations with the vet if she spends time there when she's not getting shots or anything else scary every time she goes.

3. Don't act too differently. Dogs look to you for reassurance that everything is okay, and if you're acting differently, they'll pick up on it and become more nervous. Shower your dog with extra affection, but don't coo to her and speak to her in a soft, gentle voice (unless that's how you always talk to her). Too much unusual behavior will just make her vet anxiety worse.

4. Warn your vet. If your dog is seeing a new vet and has had trouble with vet anxiety before, make sure to warn the vet in advance. Your vet will take necessary precautions to keep your dog safe and may have a trick or two up his sleeve that he can use to help allay her anxieties.

5. Consider medication. In some circumstances, especially if your anxious dog goes to the vet frequently because of health problems, a veterinarian will prescribe a few doses of Valium or another anxiety-reducing drug, which you can give to your dog before each appointment. These will make your dog more docile and maybe even a little sleepy. Make sure you use these exactly as your vet prescribes.

If you need further help alleviating your dog's general anxiety, don't hesitate to get in touch with your vet or a qualified trainer. Simple measures can make the difference for an anxious dog, turning a nerve-wracking vet appointment into a calmer outing.

Can a Dog Raise Kittens?

There may be few things more beautiful or surprising than two animals that don't normally get along, coming together as family members. When I adopted a two-week-old orphaned kitten, my border collie immediately decided to be its "nanny," constantly grooming and guarding the little critter. If you turn your back for too long, she even picks up kittens in her mouth and carries them like pups! This all raises the question: can a dog really raise a kitten safely? The answer is yes… and no.

Maggie isn't the first kitten-loving dog I've owned. I witnessed the same phenomenon when I was a child and my small dog, Sugar, gave birth at the same time as my cat. Sugar "kidnapped" the kittens from their mother, raised them along with their pups as her own, and two out of the five kittens survived to adulthood. It's amazing that two of them survived, but the fact remains that only two of them survived. Their chances at life would have been much better if they had been kept with their mother.

When I asked my vet, she told me that most kittens would not survive being raised by a dog, no matter how gentle and nurturing the dog is. Dog's milk has a completely different chemical balance than cats' milk, and getting the wrong kind of milk can cause a kitten to die of kidney failure or malnutrition. Another problem is that, while it may look like dogs and cats carry their young in the same way, they don't… and the method dogs use to carry puppies can break the necks of kittens, especially when they're very young.

For kittens who are old enough to survive without Mom's milk, survival with a dog as a nanny is much better. After five weeks, a kitten doesn't need to be nursed, but it does still need a mother to teach it boundaries, gentle play, and social skills. A very gentle, loving dog can provide these, although it's still important to supervise their time together since the dog could still unintentionally hurt the kitten.

If you have newborn kittens in your care who are too young to wean, avoid the temptation to give them to a dog, even a nursing dog, who seems to want to care for them. Your dog can help them learn and grow when they get a little older, but for now, the kittens will need you to be the one who feeds them, grooms them, and keeps them warm. See your vet as soon as possible for expert advice on rearing young kittens without their mothers.

Homemade "Ice Cream" for Dogs

As the weather heats up, humans aren't the only ones who start craving sweet, cold treats like ice cream and ice pops. My dogs, Maggie and Tyrion, have long been fans of homemade ice cream for dogs, which is made to be healthier and easier to digest than actual ice cream made for human beings. When it's hot outside, I make her a set of these sweet treats and then give them in small amounts after a long romp around outside. I've perfected the recipe for my dog's own ice cream, which I carefully designed to meet her nutritional needs without the sugar and lactose found in frozen desserts for humans.

The ingredients you'll need for homemade ice cream for dogs include one half-cup of peanut butter and one cup of unsweetened yogurt as the base. Unsweetened yogurt has very little sugar, and thanks to the probiotics (or "friendly bacteria"), it is easier to digest than milk. I also add a quarter-cup of canned pumpkin, which helps to facilitate healthy digestion in dogs and cats, and three tablespoons of white chocolate chips, which satisfies a dog's sweet tooth but doesn't contain the potentially dangerous chocolate compound theobromine, found in dark and milk chocolate. I use ice pop molds for my dog's ice cream recipes, but you can also use empty cups, hollow marrow bones, and ice cube trays.

First, mix all the ingredients into one large mixing bowl. It may take a while for the mixture to homogenize, since the heavier peanut butter tends to sink to the top and the cream in the unsweetened yogurt tends to rise. You can take the shortcut by using an electric blender. If you want your mixture thicker, add in a little cornstarch a little at a time. If you want it thinner, gradually blend in a small amount of warm water.

Once you've got everything well-blended, carefully pour the mixture into the molds, marrow bone, or ice cube tray. Freeze it for at least five hours to get it thick and hard. You can serve these treats as everyday snacks, in the same way that you might normally use dog biscuits, or you can reserve the "ice cream" for when your dog has been running a lot in hot or warm weather. You might even consider bringing some to the dog park to share!

You can modify the recipe for ice cream for dogs depending on your dog's taste preferences. Some good add-ins for doggie ice cream include shredded carrot, apple bits, or crushed treats. There's really no limit, but bear in mind that some common human foods are dangerous to dogs, including onions, grapes, raisins, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, avocado, and macadamia nuts. If you need any help figuring out which homemade treats to include in your pup's diet, or balancing nutrition between treats and meals, touch base with his veterinarian for expert advice.