Top Dog Tips

KEY TAKEAWAYS: When visiting a pumpkin patch, find a genuinely dog-friendly farm, consider your dog's temperament, bring the right supplies, keep them leashed, watch for food and farm hazards, and pay attention to their body language. Planning to visit a pumpkin patch soon? Your dog can join in on the fun, too, but not without proper preparations. After all, not all pumpkin farms allow pets. Not to mention, they can expose dogs to dangers like crowds, livestock, machinery, and more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: When tailgating with dogs, make sure to pack their essentials, including dog treats, water, comfort items. Keep them on leash, and setup a zone where they can rest and retreat. Keep them away from the food, grills, heavy equipment, and large, noisy crowds. Lastly, be ready to leave if they show signs of stress. It's the football season, which means packed parking lots, grills firing up, cheering fans, and plenty of game-day food.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Prepare your dog for back-to-school at least one or two weeks before. Adjust their routine gradually, set up a comfortable space or corner for them, and leave them with enrichment. Keep your mornings calm and excitement- or stress-free, and let your dog out for a walk or potty break before you leave and after you return from work and school. As a parent, there's nothing more heartwarming than seeing your kids and dog get along.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: The crate-and-rotate method is a management strategy dog owners can use when dogs cannot be safely together due to aggression, resource guarding, or severe conflict. It can be done for dogs who don't get along by having them take turns being loose while the other is confined safely in a crate, a separate room, or another secure area for a specific period of time. What if two dogs in the same household simply can't get along?

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Some BBQ safety tips for dogs include keeping them away from the hot grill, grease, charcoal, and lighter fluid; being mindful of leftover foods, especially cooked bones, corn cobs, and skewers; and setting up a shaded area with plenty of water where dogs can retreat. Lastly, plan fun dog-safe activities so dogs can enjoy the party, too.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Some of the beach safety tips for dogs pet owners must follow include bringing plenty of fresh, clean water, providing dogs with enough shade, and keeping them away from potential beach dangers, like jellyfish and other coastal animals or washed-up things. Dogs must also wear proper beach gear to protect them from drowning, overheating, or sunburn.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Boredom in dogs can lead to anxiety and behavior problems; keep dogs entertained while home alone by using interactive toys with different textures and features, keeping background music or TV on, and offering long-lasting chews. You can also set up a pet camera that dispenses treats and allows you to talk to them, or a dog corner with their favorite items or will allow them to watch out the window. Hiring a dog walker or an occasional doggy daycare visit will help, too.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: To stop a dog fight at home, DO NOT place your hands in front of the fight. Instead, create a distraction using a loud, sudden noise. Disorient your fighting dogs by placing a physical barrier between them, such as a cushion or board, before taking one dog to another room to decompress. Allow both dogs to calm down, inspect for any wounds or injuries, and call the vet if necessary.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Start by introducing the bell and letting the dog get familiar with it until they become more confident touching it with their nose or paw. Ring the bell before opening the door for potty breaks, then give them a high-value reward once they finish. Do these consistently and with patience until they get it! Imagine never having to guess whether your dog needs to go outside again—your dog simply rings a bell to let you know.

Calm dogs often have calm owners. Energetic dogs have energetic owners. I don't know if you have noticed, but this seems to be the case for most dogs and pet owners I know of—including me and my own (we're both couch surfers)! Turns out that's not a coincidence. Science has explanations! Studies have found that dogs mirror their owners' energy and personality, including their emotions, stress levels, and routines, partly because they have evolved alongside us humans for thousands of years.