Are you planning to visit a local dog park so your canine companion can blow off some steam? Dog parks are perfect for exercising, socializing, and bonding with your pet. It's not all fun and games, though. Every dog park has rules and regulations to keep all visitors — canine and human — safe. Being a responsible pet parent means following those rules and practicing proper dog park etiquette.

A common myth about dogs is that barking, growling, lunging, biting, and baring their teeth means the dog has an aggressive demeanor. Presenting any combination of these behaviors often leads to a dog permanently labeled as aggressive and needing supervision around other pets and children. Even worse, this increases the dog’s chance of being euthanized at shelters.

If you’re witnessing your dog constantly itching, licking, or running their ears or rear along the carpet, you might be scratching your head, wondering what is wrong. They might even wake you up at night as they scratch incessantly and shake the bed or rattle their dog tags. While occasional scratching is normal, there are many reasons why your dog’s itchiness has elevated to an obsessive level.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners.” And as a dog lover, you likely share that belief. While the statement isn’t inherently wrong, it is far too simplistic. Dogs, like people, have unique personalities, traits, and genetic makeups. Each one is unique, and most have both positive and negative qualities.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week occurs during the second full week in April. In 2022, this important event runs from April 11th through the 17th, and it’s an excellent time to learn more about dog bites and how to prevent them. More than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year.

Once you’ve decided that it’s time to add a dog to your family, the biggest question often becomes, “What type of dog do we want?” While your daughter might want a small, fuzzy dog that will cuddle with her, your son might want a big dog that will play frisbee with him for hours on end. From the parents’ perspective, you want a family-oriented dog with a pleasant demeanor. You should also consider your living environment when it comes to the type of breed selected, as some are better suited to suburban life. In contrast, others adapt easier to apartment living in a city.