The holidays bring decorations, special meals, visitors, and changes to your usual routine. While these things can make your home feel festive, they can also introduce new risks and distractions for your dog. Before the celebrations begin, take a little time to prepare your home. A few simple precautions can help your dog stay safe…
Living in Florida means sharing the outdoors with many different types of wildlife, including snakes. Most Florida snakes are harmless, but a few species are venomous and can pose a serious risk to people and pets. For dog owners, knowing how to recognize the venomous species found in Florida can help you make safer decisions…
For families who spend part of the year in Florida and return to the Midwest for the summer, adjusting to a new climate can be a big change for everyone, including the family dog. A dog that has become comfortable with Florida’s warm, humid weather may suddenly be dealing with cooler temperatures, while a dog…
Belgian Ring is a demanding dog sport that combines obedience, jumping, and protection work. It was developed in Belgium and is performed in a fenced competition field, where dogs and handlers are tested through a series of exercises. The sport is not simply about protection. A successful team needs control, precision, athletic ability, and the…
If your dog loves chasing squirrels, birds, or anything that moves quickly, you may have seen them display a natural instinct that can be channeled into a dog sport called lure coursing. Lure coursing gives dogs the opportunity to chase a moving artificial lure around a course in a controlled environment. The sport was developed…
French Ring is a working dog sport that combines obedience, jumping, and protection work. Developed in France, the sport is designed to test a dog’s training, athletic ability, confidence, control, and willingness to work with its handler. While the protection exercises are one of the most recognizable parts of French Ring, the sport involves much…
Teaching your dog a command is only the beginning. A dog may sit, stay, or come when called perfectly in a quiet room, but that does not always mean they will respond the same way at the park, around other dogs, or when something exciting catches their attention. This is where proofing comes in. Proofing…
Mondioring is a dog sport that combines obedience, jumping, and protection work into one competition. It was developed by bringing together elements of working-dog sports from different countries and is governed internationally through the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The sport is designed to test more than whether a dog knows commands. It evaluates the dog’s…
For dog owners in Southwest Florida, outdoor time comes with plenty of things to watch for. One of them is the cane toad, a large invasive species that can be dangerous to dogs if they bite or mouth one. Cane toad identification is important for dog owners, especially because cane toads can be mistaken for…
A trip to the beach can be one of the best ways to spend time with your dog. The open space, fresh air, and chance to explore new sights and smells make it an exciting adventure for both of you. But the beach can also be one of the most distracting places for a dog,…
