How to Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program

by Kate Barrington

Published: February 16th, 2016

how to find a reputable service dog training program

We’ve seen a growing crop of scammy organizations that offer “Service Dog Certification.” If you have legitimate need for a service dog, do it the right way.

A service dog is a canine that has been trained to offer some kind of assistance. Service dogs can be useful for people with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, seizure disorders, mental illness, and a wide variety of other conditions. Unfortunately, there are dog owners who want to have their dog certified in order to bring their pooch into a restaurant… and there are plenty of shady organization that are happy to help them (for a fee, of course). It’s these people who are ruining a vital service for the ones who need it most.

If you are thinking about getting a service dog for yourself or a loved one, be sure to take the time to select a reputable service dog training program or organization.

Tips for Finding a Service Dog

When it comes to finding a service dog or a reputable certification program, the choice can be difficult; there are so many different training programs out there. Unfortunately, there are also many fraudulent programs out there so you need to be careful about making your choice. These tips will get you started down the right path:

Ask around for referrals from any friends or family members who have a service dog. You might also be able to get information from a local shelter or veterinarian.
Perform an online search and check the yellow pages for training programs in your area and then compile a list of options.
Check the website for each program and look for important details like registry with the Pet Partners, Assistance Dogs International, or other organizations. Make sure the website includes contact information as well as details about the organization, the training program, and the dogs or trainers themselves.

Related: Top 10 Therapy Dog Breeds

Visit the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and check for complaints against the programs on your list.
Contact the rest of the programs on your list and ask what they need in order to pair you with a service dog or a trainer. Reputable organizations will have your doctor fill out forms regarding your mental or physical needs and they will ask detailed questions about how your condition affects your day-to-day living.
Ask each program plenty of questions to determine their legitimacy. For dogs, ask where they get the dogs for their program, how they train the dogs, and how they pair the dogs with the right people. In regards to a trainer, get previous references, experience background and qualifications.
Remove from your list any programs that seem reluctant to answer your questions or that do not answer your questions fully. You also want to avoid programs that refuse to let you review medical or training records for the dog they pair you with.
Before you make a commitment, make sure that the organization offers support for their clients. You should be able to call or email if you have a problem with the dog or a trainer.
Visit the training facilities for whatever program you choose before you make a commitment and meet the dog or trainer you will be paired with to make sure it is a good match. You should also make sure that the facilities are clean and sanitary and that the dogs are properly cared for.

If you have never worked with a service dog program before, there are certain things that might seem like red flags when they are actually standard procedure. For example, a good service dog training program will have a deep understanding of their dogs and they will not give you much choice regarding which dog you are paired with. If they conduct a thorough examination of your needs they will know which dog is the right choice. It is also standard procedure for dogs in service training programs to be kept in a family environment during training rather than in a kennel. The dogs should be fond of their trainers and appear to be happy and healthy.

The key to making sure that you find a service dog or a service dog trainer from a reputable organization is to take your time and do your research. Learn everything you can about the organization before you make a commitment and be sure to visit the facilities in person to be assured of its legitimacy.

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Disney Caricature of Service Dog is Picture Perfect

As if the most magical place in the world could be any sweeter… a Disney artist broke the Internet with a caricature of a service dog and we can’t even! Sometimes, we just post things on social media sites just because they are so stinking cute. That’s probably why Twitter user @cutiechaser_ (who also goes by Katie) posted the sweetest picture of a Disney artist drawing a caricature of a guest, as they do all over the park. Except this was not your average Disney goer. Instead, the picture, which was sent to Katie by her parents who were visiting Disney, was of a beautiful service dog named Yahoo. Yahoo is in training and lives with a volunteer from Canine Companions in San Marcos, California. Yahoo’s trainer is getting him ready to service a special someone with disabilities, and took Yahoo to Disneyland to help socialize him and give him real-world experiences. Related: Disney’s Magic Kingdom Opens Its Gates To Dogs Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit service-dog organization. They breed and train dogs to offer them to people with disabilities, and they offer the dogs at no cost. Yahoo’s trainer and a friend who also is training a service puppy wanted to go somewhere there were lots of distractions (so they could practice patience and obedience) but also a place that would be fun, since they are puppies who like to play and socialize. Sitting still for a caricature to be drawn is a great way for Yahoo to learn obedience and patience, while also learning to ignore what we imagine were the tons of people who, “Ooooohhhhed!” and “Aaahhhhhed!” over the adorableness that was Yahoo sitting there! Related: How To Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program Katie’s tweet has been retweeted over 50,000 times and has over 130,000 likes on social media sites, and, according to her Twitter feed, has done what she was hoping, “Brought happiness 2 so many people with this dog pic.” What else would we expect from the happiest place on earth?

Study: Service Dog Credibility Questioned By Retail Workers

A recent study conducted by American Humane showed that many U.S. Retail Employees don’t have a clear understanding of the importance of service dogs for those with Post Traumatic Stress, and may even be discriminatory. American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization and conducted a survey of U.S. retail employees to measure their interactions, perceptions of and experiences with customers who had service dogs for Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Recognizing there are no national standards or consistent best practices when it comes to the definition of and/or the training and credentialing of service dogs for PTS, the organization was concerned that obstacles would be even more prevalent than ones already suffered for those PTS Veterans with service dogs. These obstacles would include access to and the existence of reasonable accommodations for service dogs in public places, and more specifically, retail businesses. Related: How To Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program American Humane was also concerned about possible discrimination of our Veterans suffering from PTS and having service dogs, and found that group of retail employees surveyed had an alarming lack of information about service dogs and the special needs that accompany many of them. The study found that seven of ten employees felt, at best, ‘moderately informed,’ when it came to knowing the difference between service, therapy and emotional support animals (yes, there is a difference), and one-fifth of the surve respondents claimed they were not informed at all. More, over half of those surveyed said that how visible or obvious a person’s disability seemed was a major factor in the respondent’s opinion of the legitimacy of the service dog. As PTS is often ‘invisible,’ this could mean that those suffering with PTS may be seen as ‘faking’ a condition and/or their service dog and its needs may not be taken seriously. This thought was backed up by the fact that 35% of the survey participants suspected at least one customer in the last year misrepresented their pet as a service dog. American Humane believes that the survey results support their claim that employees may be poorly, if at all, informed about service dog needs, and unprepared to meet the needs of customers with PTS service dogs. And, if the employee believes that the service dog is not even legitimately needed, as the study suggests of those with invisible disabilities, this could lead to significant discrimination against those with service dogs. Related: Lowes Hires Man and His Service Dog The survey was published in time to be discussed at a gathering in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by The Schultz Family Foundation and Mars Petcare to discuss the lack of national standards for training and use of PTS service dogs, a chief medical consultant for the Veterans Health Administration spoke about the need to help our veterans have better understanding, specifically in businesses they frequent often. American Humane, whose motto is First To Serve, is dedicated to the safety and welfare of animals, and to nurturing the human/pet bond and relationship. One employee, retired USMC Captain Jason Hagg has a service dog for his PTS, and he credits him for saving his life. Knowing that the support Axl, his service dog, in every day situations, and especially in high-stress environments is so important, he also knows that the lack of access Axl has to the services that he needs because someone doesn’t believe Axl is really a service dog is discrimination, and a disservice to all with service dogs. As such, he is proud that American Humane is working to address this important issue and help improve the services for PTS Veterans while informing and bringing more general awareness to the public at large. Of course…we agree. The more you know, the better you do. And our veterans and their service pets deserve that.

What Do the Letters After a Dog Trainer’s Name Mean?

Certain letters spell out the expertise of a professional. A trainer’s certifications can tell you a lot about her experience and approach to dog training. When looking for a dog trainer or behavior specialist, I believe qualifications count. Dog training is currently an unregulated field, meaning that anyone can call him or herself a trainer. While there may be excellent dog trainers out there without any certifications or formal education, I always feel more comfortable knowing that a professional has made the effort to earn certain credentials. Keep it Positive There are few things that indicate a trainer is trustworthy and qualified. If you see CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA after the trainer’s name, this means the trainer has passed an assessment test that focuses on scientifically proven models of training, and also has at least 300 hours of hands-on dog training experience. To maintain certification, trainers must earn continuing education credits and promise to use safe and humane training methods. This certification is the real deal. Related: Why Dog Trainers Should Treat Humans Likes Dogs Other letters might indicate the dog training program from which a trainer graduated. For instance, KPA CTP is used by graduates of Karen Pryor Academy, and PMCT refers to Pat Miller Certified Trainers. Both of these programs emphasize positive training and show that the graduate has completed coursework in training theory and/or hands-on training. If you see letters you don’t recognize, the best thing to do is google them. If these letters refer to a specific dog training school or program, check the program’s website to read about its philosophy. Since positive training is backed by extensive research and can do no harm to your dog, I strongly encourage you to prioritize programs using positive methods. Behavior Specialists If your dog has a serious behavior problem, consider a professional whose credentials reflect an even higher level of education. Technically the term “behaviorist” refers to professionals with advanced academic degrees, called Applied Animal Behaviorists (indicated by the letters CAAB or ACAAB), or it may refer to Veterinary Behaviorists (indicated by DACVB). These behaviorists are highly trained but also may be hard to find. If you see the following letters, you are also in good hands: IAABC, CDBC, CBCC and CABC. Any time a professional claims to be a behaviorist, it is important that there are credentials to prove it. Related: How to Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program Some trainers and behavior specialists have APDT listed in their credentials. While it’s an excellent organization devoted to the education of trainers, membership does necessarily indicate proficiency. In fact, APDT has a useful explanation of the many different certifications to look for at The Association of Professional Dog Trainers’ website. Not All Opinions Are Created Equal Keep in mind that everyone fancies themselves a dog training expert. I’ve even had strangers stop me on the street to instruct me that my dogs should not be walking a step in front of me (when, in fact, I encourage them to walk this way, so I can see what they’re doing). Anyone who gives you free advice without first asking a slew of background questions is not in the position to give training advice, so please just smile and walk away. Even veterinarians, for whom I have a great deal of respect, are generally not given any formal training in animal behavior. So if you have a training or behavior question, seek out the help of someone who has the qualifications to give you the best answer. This will ensure that both you and your dog are in good hands.

New Jersey Bill Will Require Dog Trainers To Be State-Licensed

There’s a new bill in front of New Jersey lawmakers, and if passed, would make New Jersey the first state in the country to require dog trainers to be licensed through the state. Who says dogs have to have all the work of obedience training? New Jersey doesn’t, that’s for sure. Lawmakers there have introduced a new bill that would require dog trainers to become licensed through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Assemblywoman Carol Murphy is the lead sponsor of the bill and said that dogs are often used to help in areas like service or therapy, and it’s their responsibility to ensure the proper training and handling of dogs in safe environments. She said that New Jersey wants to be sure that its four-legged constituents are taken care of as they should be. Related: 7 Gifts for People Who Love Dog Training The bill would require dog trainers to have “a good moral character,” as well as 300 hours of training, and high school diploma or GED. They would also need to pass an exam, though trainers who can prove they’ve already been working in a professional capacity for over a year would be exempt. With the bill, a to-be-established Dog Trainer Board of Examiners would give the exam and enforce the regulations and rules for the licensures and fees. Assemblywoman Murphy said that a dog trainer constituent brought the idea to her after noting how other trainers used methods of training that many find controversial and punishment focused. And while it sounds great–knowing your trainer is capable of training your best friend–opponents of the bill believe that it is just a way for the state of New Jersey to generate revenue from hard-working people and businesses. Currently, there are no state laws that mandate trainers be licensed, although there are several voluntary certification programs that trainers can take to better their education. Murphy says that the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) would be consulted to help develop and administer the trainers’ exam. Bradley Phifer is the executive director of CCPDT and says that they support the legislation and its mission to help the public trust in the safety and care of dog trainers’ and their certified capabilities. Related: How to Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program Some find the wording of “good moral character” to be a bit too vague in meaning, and believe that ethical standards that are “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” be established so positive reinforcement can be the standard in training. Others vehemently oppose the bill as they believe it is a way for CCPDT to monopolize dog training methodology, and ‘ethical’ trainers who have been in business for decades would be forced to comply with the training they believe science doesn’t support. The bill is set to be voted upon this general session, which ends in January, 2019.

Chrysler Launches ‘Give a Dog a Job’ for Canine Companions For Ind

Chrysler is raising awareness for assistance dogs by partnering with Canine Companions for Independence and are sponsoring their first official PacifiPuppy named Foley! Chrysler is joining forces with Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization for assistance dogs and launching their new campaign, “Give a Dog a Job,” to help raise awareness and funds for assistance programs that help people with disabilities. To kick off the campaign, fans were introduced to Foley, Chrysler first official PacifiPuppy! Foley is Canine Companions’ Golden/Labrador Retriever mix, and Canine Companions and Chrysler want us to follow Foley as he trains to be an assistance dog. Using the hashtags and fans will be able to track Foley as he grows and watch the process a puppy goes through in his journey to become an assistance dog. Related: How to Find a Reputable Service Dog Training Program Foley is named for actor Scott Foley, an animal advocate and supporter of Canine Companions, and will be able to be seen as he learns about new sights and sounds and fans will be able to watch him learn commands and take adventures and play dates with other Canine Companion puppies. Fans will even be able to follow him as he graduates and is placed. Canine Companions supports and provides assistance dogs for children, veterans and adults with disabilities, and the partners want to share just what that very special process looks like. The Give a Dog a Job campaign will raise funds and awareness for trained assistance dogs who empower wheelchair users by helping them complete everyday activities from getting the paper to getting in and out of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The organization offers trained assistance dogs free of charge, though the process of raising, training, certifying, and placing an assistance dog is typically a $50,000 investment. Related: Hospital Builds Room Where Patients Can Play With Their Pets In order to give Canine Companions a “lift”, Chrysler is partnering with BraunAbility to design a wheelchair-accessible Chrysler Pacifica minivan. The minivan will provide the largest interior space and widest door opening and side-entry ramp of any in the industry. By partnering with both organizations and following cute little Foley through his journey, Chrysler hopes that people will appreciate the huge amount of time and resources go into such an amazing process and program. If you’d like to watch this little guy as he grows and learns, you can follow Foley on his social media accounts with his hashtags.

Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?

A dog’s nose is their tool for discovering the world around them through scent, but dog noses are important for much more than sniffing – the state of your pet’s nose can sometimes be indicative of their health. It can be dry and flaky or wet and soft, so what is better? Is a dry nose a bad sign? Or a wet one? Or are they both normal? These are the questions that are often proving to be troubling for dog owners. So let’s try and answer them once and for all!Is A Wet Dog's Nose Good or Bad?A wet dog's nose is usually a sign of good health. Most often, the nose is wet because the doggo is licking it! They do this frequently in order to keep them clean and to enhance their sense of smell. In fact, a moist nose helps them trap scent particles more effectively. The moisture on their nose captures scent molecules from the air, allowing them to better identify and track smells. This ability is crucial for tasks such as hunting, tracking, and even detecting certain medical conditions in humans. 

Study Finds Link Between Having a Dog and Girls' Physical Activity

A new study finds that having a furry companion at home could help promote healthy physical activity in children, especially young girls. According to research from the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia, getting a new dog or losing a furry companion is linked with a child’s level of physical activity. This new research shows that having a dog could help promote healthy movement behavior in children. The study's lead researcher, Emma Adams, highlights the positive influence of dog ownership on children’s activity levels, pointing to potential benefits that start from early childhood.“We saw a significant jump in daily physical activity in children whose families acquired a dog over the study period, while those whose families experienced the loss of a dog recorded a steep drop-off in activity,” added Adams.The research teams from Telethon Institute and the University of Western Australia followed 600 children aged between two and seven years old, over a three-year period to determine the impact dog ownership (or loss) has on physical activity levels.The results showed that getting a dog or losing a family companion is associated with significant changes in children’s activity levels. Surprisingly, young girls showed the most significant response.“The results were particularly noticeable in girls, with girls who acquired a dog increasing their light intensity activity and games by almost an hour a day (52 minutes).”“On the flipside, there was a marked drop in light intensity activity and games in girls who experienced the loss of a dog, with their activity dropping by 62 minutes a day,” said Adams according to Independant. Children wore accelerometers during waking hours for seven days at a time to measure sedentary time, screen time, and physical activity. Parents were also asked about their childrens’ activity levels. Half of the children participating in the study didn’t own a dog at any point during the study period, 204 children had a dog for the entire three years, 58 got a dog during the study period, and 31 children lost their furry companion during the course of the study.Data showed that girls who got a dog increased their light intensity activities and games by almost an hour a day (52 minutes). At the same time, girls who lost a dog experienced a decrease of 62 minutes a day in the same activities. Researchers observed that unstructured physical activity, such as walking with the dog or playing in the garden saw an increase for both boys and girls who got a dog during the study. “If we excluded dog walking and playing, there were no changes in the unstructured physical activity, so we could see the changes in physical activity were actually from the addition of those dog-related activities,” said Adams. On the other hand, children who lost their dog decreased their unstructured physical activity by 10.2 sessions a week for girls and 7.7 sessions for boys. “Regular physical activity from an early age is essential for children’s physical and mental health development, but few children or adolescents are meeting recommended daily levels. Our findings indicate that having a dog in the family could help promote healthy movement behaviors in children and reduce their short- and long-term risk of chronic disease.”Although this study discovered a positive link between dog ownership and increased physical activity Adams stresses that it’s not a call for everyone to get a dog. “It’s important to note that we’re not telling families to just go out and get a dog - having a dog comes with many responsibilities and won’t be right for everyone.”Instead, this study encourages dog owners to use canine companionship to increase physical activity. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Is it OK to Give Dogs Raw Bones?

While dogs can be picky eaters, they’re not really known as pets with the most refined pallets. Pooches tend to be voracious and their appetites are indiscriminate, so they’ll munch on anything – anytime.However, as a responsible owner, you should make sure that whatever they’re snacking on is something that’s safe for them to eat – which can be a bit stressful. For instance, the image of a dog with a bone is all but ingrained in people’s brains, but do dogs really need to chew on bones? And, if so, are raw bones fine or do you need to cook them first?Many owners are fearful that bones are not entirely appropriate for dogs, both because of potential bacterial contamination and the risk of bone splintering. Because of this, feeding dogs raw bones can be a controversial topic, and it's important to consider various factors before deciding whether or not to offer this natural snack to your pet. Before you make your decision, here are some important aspects to take into account.Is it OK to Give Dogs Raw Bones?Whether it’s a childhood memory or a scene in an old cartoon, you’ve probably seen a dig happily gnawing on a bone (and a cat drinking cow milk), but are bones really good for dogs – or is it just a myth that they enjoy them? While raw bones for dogs can have some benefits, such as offering important trace minerals, or a way to naturally  remove plaque buildup from a dog’s teeth, there are some risks to giving your pet raw bones. Mainly, two things about raw bones concern dog owners – their tendency to splinter and potential bacterial contamination. When it comes to splintering, it is much less likely for a raw bone to splinter than a cooked one, but still, it is wise to choose bigger bones to minimize the risks even more. As for the chance for the bones to be contaminated with salmonella or E. coli, the key is to source the bones from a trusted, responsible supplier.With those things in mind, if you are still interested in giving your dog raw bones, here are some key steps to follow to make sure that your pet is safe and enjoys their natural chew treat without any adverse effects:#1 Always supervise your petIf you decide to give your dog a raw bone, it's essential to supervise them closely. This helps prevent potential choking hazards, broken teeth, or possible injuries if splintering does occur.#2 Pick the right size

Wish Your Dog Could Understand You? New Study Says They Can!

You don’t have to be a dog owner to know that dogs can learn and understand commands like “sit” or “come”. But, a new study has made a groundbreaking discovery that dogs also know that certain words stand for specific objects. This finding won’t come as a big surprise to any dog owner who has ever asked their pup to “go get your toy” and, a minute later, been handed a chewed-up rubber ball or slobbery stuffed animal. Scientists have long been interested in learning whether dogs can truly associate words with objects. However, researchers couldn’t figure out whether dogs and other animals get a mental image when they hear an object's name. This would suggest that dogs have a better understanding of language than believed before. Researchers in Hungary have discovered that in addition to being able to respond to commands such as “sit”, “roll over”, or “stay” dogs can also grasp the essence of nouns. This relationship with language is called referential understanding, and it has been unproven in dogs until now. “When we are talking about objects, objects are external to the dogs and dogs have to learn that words refer, they stand for something that is external to them,” explained the study’s co-lead author, Marianna Boros, of the Department of Ethology at the Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.To get some answers about what is happening in the dog brain when it processes words, Boros and her colleagues asked 18 dog owners to bring their pooches to the lab along with five objects the dogs knew well. The objects included balls, slippers, leads, rubber toys, frisbees, and other items.Researchers instructed the owners to say the words for the items before showing their dog either the correct object or a different one. For example, the owner might say “Rover, look, the ball”, but hold up a lead instead. During the tests, the researchers measured the dogs’ brain activity using non-invasive electroencephalography, or EEG. The idea was to see whether EEG could offer a better insight into dogs’ understanding of language. The brain recordings showed different patterns in the brain when the dogs were shown an object that matched or didn’t match the owner’s spoken word. The difference was even greater for the words owners believed their dogs knew well.The same results were seen when humans performed these tests and are widely accepted as people understanding the word well enough to form a mental image of the object they were later shown. “We expected that if a dog really understands the meaning of the object’s word, it will expect to see that object. And if the owner shows a different one, there will be a so-called surprise reaction in the brain. And this is exactly what we found,” said Boros according to ABC News.Lilla Magyari, also of Eötvös Loránd University, and the other co-first author, said that although some other animals have shown some degree of referential understanding of language, they have typically been trained to do so. In dogs, she explained, such capacities seem to be inborn and don’t require any particular training or talent. Researchers stress they aren’t claiming that dogs understand words as well as humans. Future studies are needed to determine whether dogs can generalize in the same way humans learn to as children.This study raises an interesting question of why, if dogs understand nouns, more of them don’t show it. One possible answer is that dogs know more than they are willing to show us.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

You might think it’s gross, but your pooch certainly doesn’t – canines are known to lick themselves as a way of grooming. While your dog might lick their body thoroughly to keep it clean, sometimes, their self-grooming can be abnormal. If you notice that your pet is licking or even chewing their paws obsessively, it should raise concern. This type of behavior might indicate an underlying medical issue, so here’s what you need to know before you phone your vet.Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick and Chew Their Paws?While some licking of their paws after they get dirty can be perfectly normal, constant licking or chewing of the paws is certainly not usual behavior. There could be several reasons behind this, and it could indicate that your attention and even intervention are needed. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs lick and chew their paws.Allergies:  Allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies (such as pollen or dust mites), and contact allergies (for example, from cleaning products or lawn chemicals), can lead to itching and discomfort in dogs. Paw licking and chewing can be a response to this itching. If you suspect that an allergy might be in question, don’t hesitate to visit your vet.Skin irritation or infection: If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or have an unpleasant odor, it may indicate a  skin infection or irritation. Bacterial or fungal infections, as well as foreign objects like splinters or thorns, can lead to serious issues down the road. Again, if you notice any of the above, it’s time to visit the vet.Dry or cracked paw pads: Dry or cracked paw pads can be uncomfortable for dogs. Licking and chewing may be their way of trying to soothe the discomfort. This happens to many dogs, and can be caused by their environment, the surface on which they walk, and many other things. Luckily, you can prevent this with paw wax that will create a barrier between the pads and the walking surface, or treat existing issues with paw butter that soothes and repairs the pads. This particular  2-in-1 paw butter and wax is a favorite of mine because it is made from all-natural ingredients and heals cracked paws in no time – while simultaneously preventing future irritation and dryness. 

Cat in Heat: Signs and What to Do

If you have an unspayed female cat, it’s just a matter of time before she goes into heat and is ready to mate. But will you be able to recognize that she’s in heat, and will you know what to do? Here’s some basic information on the signs that a cat is in heat and what you can do to make sure your cat doesn’t get pregnant and produce an unwanted litter.When Do Cats Start Going into Heat?A cat can go into heat (known as estrus) at a surprisingly young age. On average, her first heat can occur at roughly 6 months old. But some cats will go into heat sooner, such as around 4 months old, or later, such as closer to 1 year old.Several factors, such as the cat’s breed, her weight and body condition, and the time of year and amount of daylight, influence when a female kitten that hasn’t been spayed will go into heat for the first time. So, it can be difficult to predict when it will happen.Note: A nursing mother cat with a litter of kittens could go into heat and get pregnant again.How Long Is a Cat in Heat?On average, a cat will be in heat for seven days, but it is possible for a cat to be in heat longer, such as for 14 days, or for a shorter period, such as two days. If she doesn’t mate, the heat will end but restart a short time later, such as a couple of weeks later. But if she mates, she’ll ovulate and move out of heat in a couple of days. Note: Cats can be in heat multiple times throughout the year. The environment they live in and the number of daylight hours can affect if they go into heat.Signs a Female Cat Is in HeatBehavioral changes are the main things to look for to determine if your cat is in heat. Here are some of the common signs:Vocalizations – your cat will yowl and meow more loudly and more often than usualAttempts to get outside – your cat will try her best to sneak or dart out the door in search of a mateChanges in posture – your cat will stick her rear end up in the hopes she’ll grab the attention of a male kittyIncreased urination or spraying – your cat may urinate more often, and she might mark spots around the house by spraying urine on themSeeking attention – your cat will be more demanding, seeking your attention and affection, and will rub her face and body on people and objects around the houseRolling – your cat will roll around on the floor more than usualGrooming more – your cat will groom herself more, and you may notice her grooming the genital area moreWhat to Do When Your Cat Is in HeatOnce your cat is in heat, there’s really nothing that you can do about it except wait for it to end. In the meantime, she can easily get pregnant, so it’s important to keep her indoors and away from intact males.In addition to that, you can try calming her down by giving her your attention. If she’s acting restless, you can encourage her to play with a wand toy, which is perfect for interacting with your pet and showing her you care.  A good example is the Our Pets Play-N-Squeak at Night Twinkle Mouse Cat Wand. It features a stuffed mouse that squeaks when hit, along with feathers and a long string so your kitty can chase down or jump up and grab her “prey.”

What Shapes Your Dog’s Personality? Harvard Neuroscientists Reveal

No two dogs are the same – each pooch has a personality of their own, complete with unique quirks and traits. But why is your dog the way they are? What shapes their personality and character? Why do they behave in a unique way, even when they belong to a certain breed with a distinct set of traits?This is the question that Erin Hecht, assistant professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, is trying to answer. She is doing this through  The Canine Brains Project and recently held a  talk - centered on canine neuroscience - that was organized by Harvard’s Brain Science Initiative.According to Hecht, dogs have the potential to teach us so much about brain development, especially considering the fact that they were domesticated about 20,000 to 40,000 years before the present – which, on the evolutionary timeline, is quite recent. “Darwin saw dogs as a window on mechanisms of evolution,” Hecht said. “When we’re looking at dogs, as a natural experiment and brain behavior evolution all we have to do is look at their brains and see what evolution did in order to satisfy those selection requirements.”Hecht’s efforts were benefited by her lab, which performs MRI scans of dog brains – roughly 100 per year. They also conduct owner surveys that examine dogs’ work skills, especially those “ancient” ones, like hunting, guarding, herding, fetching, and so on. All this is then compared to breed parameters, like body size, skill size, and overall shape. “About 80 percent of the dogs living on the planet today are what’s known as village dogs. These are free-ranging animals that live as human commensals. So they’re living within human society, but they’re not pets,” Hecht said.Through such research, Hecht is hoping to determine what exactly shapes a dog’s personality. Through her lab work, she connects personality and skill differences in dogs to six special regions of their brains:-the regions controlling drive and reward -olfaction and taste-spatial navigation-social communication and coordination-fight or flight -and olfaction and vision“There has been very strong recent specific selection in individual breeds rather than founding effects in ancestral founding populations,” Hecht said. “So then we can look at behavior and ask whether the types of behaviors that different lineages have been selected for historically … [explain] each dog’s anatomy and these six brain networks. And it seems like there are some interesting relationships here.”But most importantly, it is concluded that these neural pathways are greatly impacted by the shape and size of a dog’s skull. “It stands to reason that if you’re manipulating the shape of a skull, you’re going to be manipulating the shape of the brain,” Hecht said. “But this confirms that dogs with these extreme skull morphotypes have impacts on their brain anatomy that likely affects behavior.”She also adds that even though some dogs have a brain “makeup” that suggests a unique disposition, it doesn’t “lock” them into a set behavior pattern. This is especially true for working skills. “Training is almost always necessary. I have yet to hear of any particular breed of working dog, where it’s just born knowing how to do its job,” Hecht said.So, a look “inside” your doggo’s brain might reveal why they are just the way they are. Would you be curious enough to let scientists take a peek?

Human-Cat Amputee Duo Teams Up To Help Others Through Animal Therapy

Juanita Mengel from Amanda, Ohio, and her five-year-old dilute tortoiseshell cat Lola-Pearl, make a unique therapy team. The 67-year-old Mengel is missing a leg, and her fluffy feline is missing a left hind leg. This special duo is one of an estimated 200 therapy cat teams registered in the US through Pet Partners. This nonprofit organization puts together owners and their pets as volunteer teams. They aim to provide animal-assisted therapy in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. “A therapy animal is an animal who’s been assessed based on their ability to meet new people and not just tolerate the interaction but actively enjoy it,” said Taylor Chastain Griffin, the national director of animal-assisted interventions advancement at Pet Partners. This organization registered nine different species of animals as therapy animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, horses, mini pigs, alpacas, and lamas. Therapy cats are less common than therapy dogs, and people are often surprised to see cats in this role. However, Griffin studies the impact of therapy cats and emphasizes the importance of cats in therapy teams. There’s a lot of research on other therapy animals, especially dogs, so there is often a ‘shock factor’ associated with therapy cats because many people don’t know these felines exist. “They go into a setting and people are like ‘Whoa, there’s a cat on a leash. What’s happening?’” said Griffin. According to her, cats inspire people to connect to them in a way that’s not seen with other kinds of therapy animals. Juanita Mengel knew that her cat Lola-Pear would be an excellent therapy animal a month after she adopted her. The feline’s therapeutic potential became clear after Mengel took her to an amputee conference. “She was so good with people I just knew she would be a good therapy cat,” said Mengel. “People really were attracted to her, too.”During a recent limb loss support group, Mengel pushed Lola-Pearl around in a cat stroller labeled “Therapy Cat’, so participants could pet the cat as she woke from a nap. When she wasn’t sitting in a stroller, Lola-Pearl could be found brushing against participants’ legs or cuddling in their laps, bringing a smile to the face of every person she decided was worthy of her company. “She’s very intuitive of people,” said Mengel.Although Lola-Pearl is very special, she isn’t the only cat Mengel owns. Mengel, who lost her leg after years of surgeries following a near-fatal car accident, is a mom to seven cats, most of whom have disabilities. “They find you, you don’t find them,” she added.Lola-Pearl was only a few weeks old when she was found with her back legs completely twisted together. The kitten was unable to walk and was brought to Mengel’s friend at a shelter in Missouri. Unfortunately, the vets there couldn’t help the feline. The shelter located a specialist in Iowa who was able to splint Lola-Pearl’s legs in order to save them. However, it was clear that the left hind leg was beyond saving and the vets decided to amputate. Mengel adopted Lola-Pearl after she recovered from the surgery and they formed the unique therapy team. After everything Mengel has been through, she is extremely grateful for Lola-Pearl and appreciates all the good work they do together. “It’s a really rewarding experience,” she said. “I get just as much out of it as the people that I visit.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can Cats Suffer From Depression?

Does your otherwise playful and friendly cat no longer seem interested in their favorite toys? It’s natural to worry when you notice a change in your best friend’s behavior. Changes in your cat’s mood or activity level may signal that something more serious is happening. We often watch for the warning signs of physical illness, but what about depression? Did you know that your cat can also struggle with their mental health? This article will examine the very real risk of feline depression, including the warning signs, what to do if you suspect your cat may be struggling, and prevention tips. Discover helpful strategies to boost your cat’s mental health and help them get back to their usual playful, purring self today. Can Cats Get Depressed? Cats are known for their independence and aloof attitude, but this doesn’t mean they don’t feel things – sometimes very intensely. Just like people, your cat can suffer from mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Not only does depression impact them mentally and emotionally, but it can also affect their physical health and well-being. This is why it’s important for us to acknowledge the risks, identify signs that something is “off,” and seek help for our cats when needed. How Can I Tell if My Cat is Depressed? We all know cats are masters of hiding when they aren’t feeling well. This is why physical illnesses and sicknesses can be so difficult to spot. The same is true for cats who are facing challenges with their mental health. The signs are often subtle, meaning we, as cat parents, must be hyper-vigilant. Some of the more common warning signs to watch out for include: Increased vocalization (constant meowing, yowling)Loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss Sleeping more than usual or at times they’d typically be active Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyedDecreased grooming or attention to hygieneDull, matted coat No longer seeking attention or interaction Out-of-character aggression or irritability Hiding or isolating themselves Many of these signs can also be associated with physical illnesses or diseases. If you notice any of these changes, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will run tests to rule out any physical health problems before discussing recommendations to help manage your cat’s mental health.

The Season of Giving Begins With A Leap

We're excited to announce a special initiative in celebration of the season of thankfulness and November's Senior Pet Adoption Month. Starting today, Leap Years is offering a free bottle of its daily chewable supplement to anyone who adopts a senior dog (over 5 years old) from a shelter or rescue. All you need is proof of adoption, and while supplies last, your senior pup can start benefiting from Leap Years' formula that has already changed the lives of dogs across the country.

A Six-legged Abandoned Dog Has Surgery to Remove Extra Limbs

A six-legged cocker spaniel found abandoned in a supermarket parking lot in Wales has had surgery to remove her extra limbs. The pooch was named Ariel, after the Little Mermaid, because her extra limbs were fused together, resembling a mermaid’s tail. Greenacres Rescue, a non-profit group from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, took Ariel in, arranged her surgery, and found her a foster family.  Ariel, who was born with multiple birth defects, was operated on at Langford Vets Small Animal Referral Hospital. Surgeon Aaron Lutchman performed the surgery and managed to save all four limbs amid fears that one hind leg might have to be amputated. “She’s doing really well, she’s bounced back and she’s a happy little dog and we’re hoping she’s going to go on to lead a fabulous little life,” said Lutchman. “She’s got her own little character and even though she’s had a tough start in life she really has done well to come through this as she has… if we can do what we can to help then that’s just absolutely brilliant.” According to Mikey Lawlor, founder and manager of Greenacres Rescue, Ariel was skinny and distressed when she was rescued. “The vet who initially assessed Ariel noted that, in addition to her two surplus back legs, she also had an additional vulva,” said Lawlor. A CT scan later revealed that Ariel was born with only one kidney, which increased the complexity of the medical treatment she required. Unfortunately, the pup’s pelvis never formed properly because she had two hip joints on one side of the body. As a result, Ariel’s normal hind leg had no muscle tone, so there was a chance that that leg had to be amputated as well. “Thankfully, that wasn’t the case though as it’s shown signs of having strengthened a lot in recent months,” Lawlor added.Ariel is recovering nicely after her surgery, having lots of love and fuss from the nursing team. Now that the surgery is behind her, everyone is hoping that she’ll have an easy and quick recovery.“There were two procedures which lasted about two hours, but both went fine. The next day she was up, walking around and eating and drinking.”“Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed she doesn’t get any infections, but she really is in the best of hands,” added Lawlor according to BBC. The brave pooch was discharged over the weekend and has already returned home to her foster family in Wales. According to her vet, Ariel has to rest for the next two weeks to recover completely. The founder of Greenacres Rescue hopes that the organization will be able to find a forever home for Ariel after she completes physiotherapy and recovery. “The response we had to Ariel’s story so far, including calls and emails from as far away as New York and Australia, has been incredible - so I’ve no doubt she’ll be snapped up,” said Lawlor.“I just can’t say enough of a thank you to everyone who’s contributed to helping her.” The organization raised around $19,000 for Ariel’s life-changing surgery thanks to donations from people all over the world.“Ariel was a complicated little dog whose care required close collaboration across a number of our specialist teams, including orthopedics, soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, and radiology,” said Vicki Black, the director of Langford Vets’ Hospital. “As part of the University of Bristol, we are a center committed to career-long learning and are proud to innovate and treat pets like Ariel. We are delighted such a lovely animal has recovered well from her surgery.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Martha Stewart's Persian Cat, Empress Tang, Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Loss of lifestyle guru's 15-year old fur kid now leaves her feisty feline, Blackie in charge.

Pet Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and you’re probably excited about everything that this festive time of year has to offer. But even though you might be focused on being with the people you love, eating delicious food, and sharing gifts, it’s important to also consider the effects the holidays can have on your pets.To help you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season with your furbabies, here’s a list of holiday safety tips for pets.

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