A Message from the ASPCA

It’s hot out there! And if your Golden Retriever or long-haired kitty seems to suffer when the mercury rises, you might feel some temptation to break out your grooming tools and give your pets a full shave-down. We get where you’re coming from.

But wait! Put down those clippers! According to experts, you’ll be doing your pet a disservice. Here’s why:

While you or I would hate to sport a f...

5 Reasons to NOT Get a Puppy For Christmas!

By Liz Gruen

The holiday season is a time that many parents decide to surprise their children with a new puppy. While it's wonderful to bring a new member into the family, the holidays are not usually the best time to do that. Liz Gruen, owner and Professional Trainer of Dog Training With Liz, offers a few reasons why this is not the best time to bring home a new puppy.

1. The holidays are too hectic. Puppies need time to adjust to...

Protect Your Dog's Feet from Getting Burned on Hot Pavement

Foot pad burns may be a hard-to-see injury

By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM

Dog's feet and pads are tough, right? Most people are aware that foot pads can be injured by stepping on something sharp, but what about something hot? Dangerously hot pavement and metal surfaces are hard to avoid in the heat of summer. Running on hard pavement is tough on feet, too. Read this Quick Tip to learn about this potential ha...

Crate Training in A Nut Shell

By Liz Gruen

Dog Training With Liz

When I ask my clients if they use a crate for their dog, most of the time I get a no. When asked why, some people think in is cruel and others think that their dogs just don’t need a crate.

So, let’s take this from the beginning. Dogs are descendants of wolves. Where do wolves find shelter in the wild? They find it in a cave or cave-like environment. This is to p...

Lungworms in Dogs

Parasitic Respiratory Infections in Dogs

Lungworms are a parasitic worm (nematode) that settles in the lungs and windpipe (trachea), causing severe respiratory problems. Dogs that spend a lot of time roaming in the woods and/or on fields are at higher risk of developing this type of parasitic infections.

Symptoms and Types

There are several species of worm that can migrate to the lungs of animals, causing coughing ...

Preventing Resource Guarding: The Protective Puppy

Posted on March 18, 2014by Canine Good Citizen

If you notice that your puppy is beginning to protect her toys, bed, balls, food, and other prized worldly possessions, she is starting to do what animal behaviorists call “resource guarding.” As with many behavior problems, the best solution for resource guarding is prevention and doing early training to keep the behavior from happening in the first place. If not stoppe...

Every dog should be seen by their veterinarian on a yearly basis. In Florida, dogs need annual heartworm tests. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos! A heartworm test requires a small blood sample. Heartworm prevention is a necessity. Help prevent Heartworm in your dogs.  The disease is deadly and costly to treat.  Also, Florida State law requires your dog to have a rabies vaccination. This used to be a yearly immunization, but newer laws recognize the 3-year vaccine. Rabies is ...

Proper Use of Retractable Leashes

By Liz Gruen

Many love the idea of a retractable leash. It gives their dog a little freedom to roam and run while still connected to you.

However, it is my opinion there is a proper way to use them and a dangerous way to use them. The proper way would be to use the one that is suited for your size dog. Another is to make sure you do not let out too much cord at one time in a populated or heavily wooded area...