by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Five Reasons Your Dog Needs Physical Activity Many of us know how much love and joy our canine friends bring to us unconditionally. In fact, a pet can curb anxiety and depression in its owners simply by sharing its life with them. But how many of us realize the...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
How To Make Cats and Dogs Get Along You’ve probably seen them on Facebook: animals that make the most unlikely friends. Ducks and horses, turtles and pigs, rabbits and chickens, and on and on the list goes. The more common duo for most of us is cat and dog. You...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
How to Protect Your Dog From Heartworm Year-Round Tick-borne and mosquito-transmitted diseases don’t take a vacation when the weather turns frigid. And mosquitoes are the exclusive carriers of Heartworm Disease. So how is it conceivable that mosquitoes can...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Do Homework Before You Adopt A Pet The prospect of welcoming a new pet into our homes is an exciting one. But it’s also pretty complex. For those of us who already have a pet it’s important to work out a successful strategy for making initial introductions. And...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Dangers of Dogs & Vehicles in Cold Weather More and more these days, Clifton Park pet parents consider the hazards associated with keeping a dog (or cat, or child for that matter) in a hot car. But cold weather can also be deadly for our four-legged friends. ...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
5 Signs Your Dog Is Healthy Clifton Park pet parents are bombarded daily with TV ads and online news feeds warning them to be on the lookout for scary signs and symptoms of disease and illness in their pets. Our pets seem to be getting cancer almost as much as we are,...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Do Dog Diapers Work? Before my German Shepherd “Holly” was spayed she and I got to experience several cycles of her coming into heat. I’d had cats all my life and was no stranger to that feline phenomenon. However, the canine version was much more than I ever...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Are Dog Bones Safe For Your Dog? Giving our four-legged best friends bones to cherish and chew is sort of second nature for most pet parents. Speaking for myself, I only give my dog those flavored Nyla type versions because I am afraid of the choking hazard real bones...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
How To Read My Dog’s Tail It might not surprise you to learn that your Pooch’s tail is an astute communication tool. Many of us realize that Fido’s wagging tail is a sign of happiness and joy, but there is so much more we can interpret from her/his tail and body...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
What’s behind a Dog’s Sense of Humor I’ve often wondered what my pooch thinks when I laugh or find something humorous. There have been times that I’d swear she knows and actually gets the joke of a situation. So I decided to do some research on doggy brains and...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Grooming Your Dog Is Healthy We all want our pups to look (and smell) like a million bucks but did you know that grooming is also important for their overall health and well-being? A health routine that includes grooming ensures that your pooch isn’t harboring any...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Tips
Are You Taking the Fun out of Your Dog’s Walk? Clifton Park dog parents may be unwittingly taking the joy out of their pups’ daily walks! Let’s face it, walks are more than likely something your pooch looks forward to with enthusiasm on a daily basis. After all, he or...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Health
To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Dog (Clifton Park Pet Parents Ponder the Matter) Seriously, is there anything in the world cuter than a puppy (or kitten)? When you meet your new pooch for the first time you are overcome with emotion and an outpouring of love. You...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Tips, Senior Dogs
Save a Dog’s Life in Clifton Park Have you ever thought about giving a dog in need a temporary home until a permanent one can be found? Fostering a dog (or cat) is just that. It can mean the difference between life and death when space at Clifton Park area shelters...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Health, Dog Tips
Autumn’s Foliage is the Perfect Cover for Ticks It won’t be long until Autumn arrives in Clifton Park and the rest of Upstate New York and New England. For Fido (and Fiona), romping in piles of raked leaves is a great source of entertainment. However,...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 12, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips, Training Information
How To Be Prepared for Pet Emergencies If your pet got injured would you be able to administer basic life-saving care that could mean the difference between life and death? First Aid and CPR training classes are both offered online and in person regularly in most US...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Tips To Protect Your Infant from an Unruly Dog Pet parents in New York’s Capital District, including Albany, Delmar, Clifton Park, Saratoga and Troy, realize that introducing any kind of significant lifestyle change in the household requires forethought and...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
How to Introduce a Rescue Dog to the Family I recently welcomed a senior dog to my home. Sadie, a nine-year-old Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd Mix was surrendered by a family with a newborn that worried about how the dog would treat the little human. Sadie cowered...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
7 Lazy Dog Breeds Top Couch Potato Canine Breeds Identified Are you dreaming of adopting the most laid back of canine companions? Well here is a list from www.insidepetsworld.com of the top mellow breeds for your consideration: 1. Newfoundland Dog — Has been...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Protocols For Flying with Your Pet The rules for traveling by air with your pet have evolved over the years. For instance, in 1990 I traveled from Los Angeles to Albany, N.Y. with my cat “Koko” when she was less than a year old. At that time, I was required to keep...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
How to Detect Depression in Your Dog My neighbor’s dog Blake is a bundle of furry, bouncing joy. Even at six years old, he still displays many behaviors of the puppy he once was. A chocolate lab mix, Blake is a cherished member of the family who wiles away his time...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Adopting A Dog Is Good For Your Children Most people already know that adopting a dog has its benefits and is certainly a good thing for the pup you rescue. But introducing a canine member to your family is particularly beneficial to kids. I know this first-hand. When...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Which Tasty Herbs are Beneficial to Pets Some of the herbs we grow here in Upstate New York and regularly add to our recipes to make them more delicious are actually good for our pets. While others that are used as natural remedies for a range of health issues can...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe July 4th As spectacular as fireworks are for we humans the same can’t be said for our four-legged friends. Pet experts agree that more pets go missing on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year, making July 5th one of the...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Top 3 Causes of Heat Stroke in Dogs and How to Avoid Them Our four-legged friends are not immune to heat-related illness. Heat stroke, even here in Upstate New York and New England, is a very real threat to our pooches when the air temperature rises. Add a tropical...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
In a recent blog I talked about how the hazy, hot and humid days of summer pose a particular hazard to our pets. To underscore that fact, I want to talk about the dangerous behavior I observed in just the last week since filing that story. On one of the hottest days...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Can Astrology Help You Find Your Next Canine Companion? Whether you’re an Aries, Gemini or one of the remaining 10 signs of the Zodiac you probably have read up on the characteristics that reportedly make you who you are. You may agree or disagree, but likely have fun...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Top Ways to Love Your Pet Every Day If you’re like me you talk to your dog incessantly and wish he or she could understand your every word and now how much you love them. But do you ever wish you knew the best way to put your words into action? Here some top ways to...
by OLK9Alex | May 27, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips
How to Bring Your Dog Camping Here in New York State we have abundant green space and rural landscapes to enjoy for recreation. When the weather warms up many of us start thinking about outdoor activities. Camping is at the top of my list. Whether I camp in a tent,...
by OLK9Alex | May 27, 2019 | Dog Tips, Training Information
How to Interpret the Meaning of Dog Barks As any dog whisperer would likely tell you, the duration, frequency and pitch of your dog’s bark has a very specific meaning. Consider the world famous Collie and canine star of the Big Screen in the 1950s and 1960s, Lassie,...
by OLK9Alex | May 27, 2019 | Dog Tips
How to Choose a Name for Your Pup Picking the perfect name for your pup is a serious matter but it can also be fun. After all, he or she will have that name for life so it’s important to choose a name that best suits the newest four-legged member of your family. So,...
by OLK9Alex | May 16, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Dealing with Dog Cancer Is Canine Cancer a Death Sentence? The leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two years is cancer. In dogs 10 years and older the risk of developing cancer increases exponentially, according to a blog post from April 2017 from...
by OLK9Alex | May 16, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Different Dog Sleeping Positions Why does my dog sleep this way… It’s pretty common knowledge that cats spend a lot of time sleeping every day. But you might be surprised to learn that pooches like to snooze 12 to 14 hours a day, too. And puppies, senior dogs and dogs...
by OLK9Alex | May 13, 2019 | Dog Health
At Home Dog Health Checks Simple Home Check-ups to Detect Disease in Pets If you’re like me you’re hyper-vigilant when it comes to detecting changes in your pooch’s or kitty’s behavior. Yet there have been times when symptoms of illness have gotten past me until they...
by OLK9Alex | May 13, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips, Training Tips
Why Foster a Dog Perhaps the idea of adding a dog to the family is a little intimidating at the moment. Or the loss of a beloved dog is too recent and you can’t bear the idea of getting attached to another pooch. Regardless of the reason, fostering is a wonderful way...
by OLK9Alex | May 13, 2019 | Dog Tips, Training Tips
Preventing Dog Theft As many as two million animals are stolen each year and only about 10 percent ever make it back to their homes, according to statistics revealed on Petfinder.com. Purebred dogs tend to be the most popular among thieves, but all beloved family pets...
by OLK9Alex | May 13, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips
Dealing with Dog Cancer Is Canine Cancer a Death Sentence? The leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two years is cancer. In dogs 10 years and older the risk of developing cancer increases exponentially, according to a blog post from April 2017 from...
by OLK9Alex | May 13, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer
Different Dog Sleeping Positions Why does my dog sleep this way… It’s pretty common knowledge that cats spend a lot of time sleeping every day. But you might be surprised to learn that pooches like to snooze 12 to 14 hours a day, too. And puppies, senior dogs...
by OLK9Alex | May 4, 2019 | Dog Tips, Training Tips
Dog Crate Barking Solutions For most dogs their crate is their home, their man cave, the place where they feel safe and secure. However, if they weren’t introduced to crate training from a young age they may be resistant to spending much time there, which can lead to...
by OLK9Alex | May 4, 2019 | Dog Tips
Dog Volunteering Thinking about adopting a dog or a cat for the first time? Not sure you want to take on the responsibility or have enough time for a four-legged companion? Why not consider becoming a volunteer first? Capital District animal shelters and rescue...
by OLK9Alex | May 4, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips, Senior Dogs
Dealing with Loss of a Pet Grieving the Loss of your Pet The agony of losing your four-legged best friend is almost indescribable. In fact, there is at least one study out there that suggests losing a pet may even be worse than losing a human. A study conducted by...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 28, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Tips
Tips for Boarding your Dog Boarding is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for both dogs and their owners, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to give your dog a positive boarding experience while you’re out of town. Once you have found the perfect...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 28, 2019 | Albany Dog Trainer, Dog Tips
Dog Licensing Fees for Albany and Rensselaer Counties Keeping Dog Licensing Up To Date in Albany and Rensselaer counties of Upstate New York If you have a dog you already know that the municipality where you live expects you to license your canine and to renew its...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 28, 2019 | Dog Tips
Living in an Apartment with a Dog Do Apartments and Dogs Mix? Most of my adult life I have rented apartments and I have always shared my homes with pets. Admittedly, finding the right apartment has been more challenging because of my four-legged children. But I would...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 28, 2019 | Dog Tips
Road Trip Tips for your Dog I’ve always made it a habit to take my dog on as many vacations as possible. After all, she is a member of the family. For every destination I have in mind I try to find some dog-friendly activities that will be available once we get there....
by OLK9Alex | Apr 21, 2019 | Dog Health, Dog Tips
Caring For Dog Paws Springing into Spring on Four Healthy Paws; what Upstate New York Dog Owners Need to Know This time of year spring cleaning, annual check-ups and setting warm weather activity goals here in New York’s Capital District are all on the list of...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 21, 2019 | Dog Tips
Find the Best Pet Sitter Looking for someone to watch the four-legged members of our families can be a stressful prospect not unlike when we look for trusted, competent childcare. Finding the perfect dog sitter is not always easy for everyone. Most people stress over...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 21, 2019 | Dog Tips
Calming Your Dog During A Thunderstorm We recently had a nasty thunderstorm in the middle of the night here in the Albany, N.Y. area that rocked my apartment building and boasted a light show to rival fireworks on the Fourth of July. And it’s not even May yet. My cats...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 21, 2019 | Dog Tips
Tips for Finding Lost Dogs Tips to Safely Getting Pups Back Home No one wants to think about it until it happens to them — the nightmare of a missing pet. It is a heart-stopping moment. Your mind is racing from thought to thought. You are frantically searching for:...
by OLK9Alex | Apr 14, 2019 | Training Information, Training Tips
Importance of Basic Obedience Training If you had a friend who constantly interrupted you when you were speaking, roughly yanked your arm and stepped on your feet whenever the two of you walked somewhere and had absolutely no table (or bathroom) manners how often do...
