Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice The Inspiration Behind Aron’s Law

Anderson Cooper Donates Bulletproof Vests to Virginia K9 Unit

Four paws up for Anderson Cooper! The CNN news anchor steps up to buy bulletproof vests for every K9 in the Norfolk, Virginia police department. He may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but Anderson Cooper’s heart is pure gold. It seems the famed CNN news correspondent (of Vanderbilt lineage) donated his fees from an upcoming speaking engagement to ensure the town’s police K-9 unit were equipped with bulletproof vests. The catalyst was an event that happened on January 11 in Norfolk, Virginia – the same town where Cooper would soon be delivering a lecture. A man had barricaded himself into his home during a standoff and during the ensuing gun battle; a beloved police dog named Krijger was shot and killed. Related: Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice the Inspiration behind Aron’s Law

AKC Announces Recipients of 2016 Paw Of Courage Award

As a show of appreciation to working dogs who serve and protect our country, the AKC announces the new Paw of Courage award to four worthy recipients. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently launched its newest award called the AKC Paw of Courage. This award is given to working dogs that have either been injured or killed in the line of duty while serving the country. “These working dogs possess great courage and dedication,” said AKC Vice President Gina DiNardo. “They continuously put their lives on the line, and have sacrificed their own safety, well-being, and in some cases even their lives, to keep us safe. Each dog awarded with the AKC Paw of Courage has made a significant sacrifice in the line of duty.“ So far, the AKC Paw of Courage has been awarded to four canines on the police force. The first recipient was Ogar of Smith County’s Constable Office in Texas. The one-year-old Belgian Malinois was a courageous canine in the force and was also a delightful family dog. He loved to run circles around the swimming pool with Deputy Constable Kevin Petty’s two little girls. He also loved to play tug of war and was a master escape artist. Related: Retired Marine Dog Awarded Highest Military Honor While conducting a routine traffic stop with Constable Petty, a perp fled the scene, resulting in a vehicle pursuit. When the suspect evaded police on foot in a wooded area, K9 Ogar was deployed. Upon confrontation, he was shot and killed. Constable Petty says that Ogar sacrificed his life to save his, as he was always by his side and looked up at him with true love and devotion. K9 Officer Jag was also a Belgian Malinois dog who served with the Twin Rivers Unified School District Police Department in California for five years. Jag competed countless events and won numerous awards during his time at the police force and also dedicated many hours doing public outreach programs in schools and nearby communities. “K9 Jag was everything a handler and a school Police Department could want. He knew his job and did it well,” says his partner, Sergeant Arlin Kocher. Related: Top Dogs Honored with AKC Humane Fund For Canine Excellence While completing his annual certification, the eight-year-old dog was struck and killed by a vehicle. Sergeant Kocher described Jag as being a powerful, intense yet still energetic and sweet dog who excelled in every aspect of his career and is credited with hundreds of narcotic searches, over 50 suspect surrenders and three apprehensions during his career. The third recipient of the Paw of Courage award was given to K9 Officer Betcha from Rutland County Sheriff’s Office in Vermont. The two-year-old Australian Cattle dog served as a narcotics tracking K9 and was with the police force for a year before he was struck and killed by a vehicle during the line of duty. His handler, Deputy Sheriff Edward Hunter, said Betcha was his fourth K9 partner but the “first dog that I can say was my therapy.” When Betcha was off-duty, he loved playing Frisbee and sticking his head out the window to let people snap pictures of him as he passed by. The final recipient of the new award was given to K9 Officer Kirjger of the Norfolk Police Department in Virgina. Police were responding to a domestic violence call when the man barricaded himself inside the home with his wife as a hostage. After several hours, the suspect exited the house and opened fire to the officers, fatally wounding four-year-old Officer Kirjger. Officer Kirjger and handler Officer Ryan McNiff’s partnership because during a 16-week training course, where the due learned obedience, tracking, open area searches, apprehensions, building searches and control commands. “Krijger was not only my partner, he was also my best friend”, says Officer McNiff. “Krijger taught me many things about courage, honor, loyalty and friendship”. Related: Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice The Inspiration Behind Aron’s Law Officer Krijger was responsible for over 30 felony apprehensions and performed many public demonstrations within schools and communities. On his off-duty hours, K9 Krijger could be found sitting on the patio enjoying a good bone or running around the backyard with one of his many toys. His favorite events consisted of outdoor barbecues and simply enjoying a relaxing fire pit at night with his human family. All four of these dogs are very well-deserving of this award and will be truly missed. Thank you for your years of service and may they give you plenty of delicious doggy treats on Rainbow Bridge.

Dog Laws – Gracie’s Law Says Dogs More Than Property

Are There Dog Laws In Place To Protect Your Best Friend? Your dog is a member of your family, not a piece of property. But that’s how your state probably sees it. It’s like if something in your home was lost, stolen or damaged – the same rules apply to your dog. When it comes to dog laws, not everyone in your house is treated equal. A lot of people think these dog laws need to be changed, including Kenneth Newman, a 33-year veterinarian and author of the book, “Meet Me at the Rainbow Bridge.” He has proposed a law called Gracie’s Law, which recognizes the emotional bond between pet and owner and entitles the owner of a pet killed through an act of malice or negligence to $25,000 in damages. Related: Logan’s Law Will Mandate Animal Abusers Registry, Tougher Penalties The dog law comes out of a personal tragedy –Newman’s dog Gracie was killed in April 2008 when a driver backed up 25 yards without looking, crushing Newman and Gracie between two vehicles. He suffered a broken leg, but Gracie was killed in the accident. “An attorney looked me in the eye and said that my dog was a piece of property, that I wasn’t entitled to anything for the dog, and that this was a simple broken-leg case,” said Newman. When the case went to court, Newman learned that the loss of his beloved companion had no standing in the case. “An attorney looked me in the eye and said that my dog was a piece of property, that I wasn’t entitled to anything for the dog, and that this was a simple broken-leg case,” said Newman. Related: Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice The Inspiration Behind Aron’s Law In every state, he says, laws view pets as property. Owners are entitled to no more than replacement value, which means no worth or consideration when it comes the loss of companionship, grief, or pain and suffering. Recently, there has been an increase of cases involving pet owners, one of the most common being visitation when a martial union ends in separation or divorce. As well, a case that went to court in April saw a Denver judge award $65,000 for the death of a dog when a cleaning service allowed the dog to get outside, where it was hit by a car. What do you think about Gracie’s Law? Does it go too far or not far enough? Do you think it has a chance of passing? Do you have an experience where this law would have helped you? Please leave your thoughts, stories and opinions about dog laws in the comments section below.

New Canadian Law Makes It A Criminal Offence To Harm Service Dogs

How can this not be a law already?! Thanks to Quanto’s Law, thugs who hurt police, military or service animals will do hard time. At long last, and following on the heels of similar legislation already introduced in the U.S., Canada has passed their Justice for Animals in Service act. Named Quanto’s Law (officially called Bill C-35) for a beautiful, Edmonton-based police dog who was killed in October, 2013 by a knife-wielding thug, the law speaks to the importance of protecting all who serve and protect. Prior to this new direction, the best you could expect to charge a suspect with was animal cruelty. Related: Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice The Inspiration Behind Aron’s Law The new law – which seems like a no-brainer to me – has received Royal Assent, making it an offence to kill or injure a law enforcement, military or service animal such as a seeing-eye dog and includes both dogs and horses. Such a crime is punishable by up to 5 years in prison on indictment and 18 months and/or a fine of up to $10,000 on summary conviction. Hey, aren’t these the same penalties that already apply to animal cruelty charges? Apparently they are, but what this new law does is position the charge within the Criminal Code under the police and peacekeeping officers section. This will ensure the letter of the law is applied in each and every case of a service animal that is maliciously attacked. Okay, so they’ve given the act some much-needed bite. Related: “Best Province To Be An Animal Abuser” Introduces New Animal Protection Law What I find interesting is that this isn’t the first time such a bill has been pitched to the government. Following the 2006 killing of a Toronto police horse that was deliberately struck by a truck driver, an effort to introduce similar legislation failed to gain traction. In light of Quanto’s death, it was again brought forward by Ontario Conservative MP Costas Menegakis, and now everyone is listening – as well they should.

Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend Against Terrorist Attacks

When it comes to fighting terrorism, no robot or technology-based tracking system does a better job than a living, breathing canine. The human nose has 5 million olfactory senses in the nose. Dogs, in comparison, have about 200 million. It’s no wonder then why dogs are better equipped to sniff out and track explosive particles left behind by human terrorists. In recent years, dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of explosives on people moving through crowded places, such as subways or airports. So far, they’ve proven to be a better warning system than anything engineers have invented and they may be the best defence against terrorist attacks similar to that of Brussels, which claimed the lives of 35 people. There are only about 130 of these “vapor wake” dogs who have gotten the patented training nationwide wide since its development about 10 years ago and according to the chief trainer, there’s only one dog in Europe. Related: Police Dog’s Heroic Sacrifice The Inspiration Behind Aron’s Law The New York City Police Department’s counter-terrorism unit graduated its latest squad of dogs, who are capable of sniffing out and following these vapor trails. For security reasons, the NYPD don’t disclose how many of these dogs cover the nation’s largest subway system, as it has over 400 stations with millions of riders. The New York department has thousands of officers, 100 dogs (including traditional bomb-sniffers and drug dogs) and uses highly sophisticated computer systems linked to surveillance that can spot a bad that has been sitting in one place too long. But because of the changing nature of terrorism attacks, they aren’t as effective as these new vapor wake dogs. Nowadays, it seems that terrorists are using small decided in crowded areas, which is why these dogs may be the best line of defence against these attacks. The NYPD’s latest graduating dog class of eight underwent 15 months of training to sniff out these explosive particles in the heat plume left by humans as they walk through a crowd. Their training differs greatly from bomb-sniffing dogs, who look for something stationary, or dogs who are used to find drugs. So far, only one piece of technology has come close to the sniffing capabilities of these vapor wake dogs. Professor Otto Gregory from the University of Rhode Island has created an electronic sensor designed to continuously monitor an area for vapor from explosives. This would be a one-up from the quick hand or luggage swab travellers are randomly selected for at airports. While the sensor hasn’t been deployed in any real-world scenarios yet, it does have the advantage of not needing months of training like dogs require. Theoretically, other animals that also have sophisticated olfactory abilities, such as elephants and even rats can be used, but the fact that dogs have a natural relationship with humans means that we won’t see a vapor-smelling rat running around airports any time soon. Dog trainers generally agree that Labrador Retrievers are usually the best kind of dogs to train for this kind of work, as they are non-aggressive and social. German pointers and spaniels are also great choices. Related: Top 10 Service Dogs The demand for these dogs is rising. Since January of these year, there have been orders to put 36 more dogs through training according to Paul Hammond of the AMK9, the security firm that works with the Auburn University veterinary school, the institution where the vapor wake training was pioneered. The training costs an average of $49,000 for each dog and they are licensed for a year. After a year, the dogs need to be retrained to account for terrorists’ changing tactics. These dogs are not only useful for large places such as airports and subway systems, but they’ve also been in high demand from major sports teams and theme parts, who need a way to search crowds safely. [Source: ABCNews]

Product Review: Wrapsit Soft-Sided Slipcover Pet Crate

Wrap it up and sit on it! We review the Wrapsit – the only slipcover crate for your folding quad chair. In three words: convenient, functional and ingenious! We are so impressed with the Wrapsit that we think it should be awarded the BEST new product for dogs in 2017. If you have a small- to medium-sized dog that is a happy cage dweller, this product is perfect for both you and your pup.

Pom-Chi

Pom-Chi Basics If you want a small fluffy dog with a lot of spirit, you will find it in Pom-Chi. And let’s face it…who doesn’t?! This designer dog is a sweet and affectionate little pooch that bonds strong and fast with his family. He is loyal and adorable, but also has absolutely no sense that he is so tiny. In his mind, he is as big as an Irish Wolfhound and he acts like it! For that reason, this adorable pint-sized dog will always be on guard, “protecting” his family and territory. It’s far more cute and hilarious than it is threatening, but this doggo will never know that. Pom-Chis will readily alert their owners when strangers are about, though- they might not be guard dog materials, but they do make good little watchdogs. So that’s something. The Pom-Chi is a mixed breed dog- a Chihuahua and Pomeranian cross. This means that there will be a lot of differences with individual dogs of the breed, as there are no set standards for the appearance or behavior of most crossbreeds. Usually, these hybrids inherit a little bit from both parents. Like their mom and dad, they are also lively, affectionate, and quite smart. Of course, there are some tendencies for behavioral issues, as is common for almost any small breed dogs. Without proper socialization, they can be shy, fearful, or aggressive toward guests. So it is important for Pom-Chi’s to develop social skills early in life. Proper training and socialization during their early and impressionable years is absolutely vital. Owing to their unique lineage, these hybrids are a versatile breed that does well in many different families and settings. Seniors and singles will find they are fantastic companions, while families with older children will appreciate their loyalty and cuddliness. There are few homes that these little pups won’t fit into Pom-Chis don’t need a ton of exercise and they are perfect for apartment or condo living. They also do well in the suburbs as well as in the country. Pom-Chis are crowd-pleasing dogs that everyone seems to enjoy. However, if you need more convincing, read on and we will break down everything that makes this pups so popular. The Pom-Chi is a sweet and affectionate little dog that bonds strong and fast with his family. Origin In the 1980s, an Australian breeder crossed a Lab to a Poodle in an effort to produce a hypoallergenic seeing eye dog for his client. When he realized that the rest of the resulting litter would be considered mutts, he called them Labradoodles hoping it would attract attention and find homes for his crossbreed puppies. Well, not only that he managed to do it, but he set off a worldwide trend of crossing purebreds to create new hybrids- or designer dogs, as people started calling them. From then on, many other crosses were developed, some more popular and some less. However, the fact remains that a lot of purebred mixes are still a matter of accidental mating rather than an any sort of intentional breeding effort. This makes it hard to pinpoint when a certain designer dog breed was first created. After all, there’s certainly a chance that Labs and Poodles had mated long before anyone came up with the name Labradoodle. THere’s just no way to possibly confirm that. The Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix dog known as the Pom-Chi has been around for decades. But it was only in the last 20 or 30 years that breeders started intentionally crossing the two breeds. The Pom-Chi Club of America was established in the late ‘90s, so it’s safe to assume that the breed was first developed in the United States at some point around that period. Although Pom-Chi is the official name of the breed, these dogs can be found with names like Chi-Pom, Chimeranian, or the mouthful Pomahuahua. Pedigree

10 Ridiculously Awkward Pet Portraits

Have you been tagged in an unsightly photograph in Facebook? If you thought your pictures were cringe-worthy, take a look at these ridiculous pet pictures… you’ll feel much better. 1. MerCat

10 Big Pooches Who Think They’re Lap Dogs

Whether they’re puppies or fully grown, these four-legged furries know the best seat in the house is right on your lap… no matter how big they are! 1. Nice Chair

Product Review: The Monster Factory’s VW Campervan Pet Carrier

We flashback to the ‘60s for our review of The Monster Factory’s VW Campervan Pet Carrier. If the van is a ‘rockin… it’s because my two dogs fit inside of it. Some women are shoe fanatics. Others prefer jewellery. Me? I go gaga for pet carriers. Pet carriers are “officially” my thing. I am obsessed with them. I have a dog purse for every occasion, in a range of colors and fabrics. And when I saw The Monster Factory’s VW Campervan Pet Carrier online, I knew that it would soon join my collection (*Insert evil laugh here). What first grabbed my attention, of course, was that classic VW design. Those iconic RVs of the 1960s never go out of style, and this pet carrier is its own fashion statement. Plus, it’s officially licensed by Volkswagen – it’s the real deal, no knock-offs for this pet carrier aficionado! Another key point is the length of the VW Campervan Pet Carrier. Forget built to scale – this carrier seems like it offers the same floor plan as the motorized version. Measuring in at 23.6” by 11.81” by 11.81, there’s plenty of room for pets, travel essentials, a kitchen sink, whatever. I’m not kidding – this carrier goes on forever. Oscar is thinking of renovating and renting out the basement apartment! Sure, there’s room enough for Zed, but Oscar still hasn’t made up his mind about the new guy. A few other things the VW Campervan Pet Carrier features: Mesh windows so pets can see what traffic is coming at themLightweight, strong, and longComfortable and convenient carry handle and strapFolds flat for easy storage when not in use I’m going to turn things over to my furry pals, Oscar and Zed, to give you the grand tour of the VW Campervan Pet Carrier.

The Most Cat-ified Cat Video You’ve EVER Seen [Video]

What happens when you take a cat video, fill it up with random cat graphics… and then throw more cats into the mix? You get cattiest cat video we have ever seen!

Fresh Water Always Blooms From CatIt Flower Fountain

Let it flow! CatIt’s Flower Fountain is the best way to ensure your cat always has a clean source of water. Cat’s can be picky about their water. It can’t be too close to their food. They prefer a running source of water. Sometimes they don’t want to share it. In my house, kitty Lavinia can’t stand it when her dog sister, Callisto, goes anywhere near “her” water bowl. This, is of course, complicated by the fact that Lavinia has claimed all four water bowls in the apartment. She really tries to leave Callisto high and dry… but other than bullying dogs, cats’ drinking requirements can make keeping your cat hydrated a difficult task. Catit is working on eliminating that for all of us cat owners. Their 2.0 Flower Fountain is here to revolutionize drinking water for your cat.

Canine Family Tree Maps the Evolution of ‘New World Dog’

An expansive map following the genetic sequences of 161 modern breed dogs provides new evidence that shows canines traveled with humans across the Bering land bridge over 15,000 years ago. The largest canine family tree ever has been released, mapped by the analyzation of gene sequences of over 160 dog breeds, and it shows what we’ve always known to be true of our faithful friends–they’d follow us to the ends of the earth. The map, a result of a study done by US National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, represents the relationship between breeds and suggests the types of dogs that people crossbred to create the modern breeds we have today. Related: Researchers Discover Gene Associated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Dogs The research also suggests that an ancient type of dog, or ‘New World Dog,’ was present in the Americas thousands of years before Columbus ever arrived, and was replaced with ‘Old World Dogs’ from European colonists as they arrived. Dr. Heidi Parker, a biologist with the NIH and study co-author, says that where most popular United States breeds are of European descent, probably as a result of European colonization, the mapping reveals evidence that breeds from Central and South America may actually be descendants of the ‘New World Dog.’ The ‘New World Dog’ is thought to be an ancient subspecies that came across the Bering Strait with the forefathers of Native Americans thousands of years before the Europeans came. Researchers believe some breeds like the Peruvian Hairless Dog are descendents of that ‘New World Dog.’ Dr. Parker says that the mapping shows there are groups of American dogs that are separate from European breeds, and may have New World Dog data hidden in their genomes. Related: Embark to Test DNA in Dogs For Possible Future Diseases The research found also found some interesting breed connections. For instance, the mapping shows that dogs who were bred to do similar jobs, such as those in herding and working groups, don’t necessarily have the same genetic origins as one might think. In fact, where you’d think that all working dogs or all herding dogs were related in ancient genes, this new information shows that simply isn’t the case. In hindsight,that makes sense, as different dogs would need different functions to herd different types of animals, and therefore have different crosses bred in ancestrally.

Stay Connected To Your Dog With The Tagg Pet Tracker

The Tagg Pet Tracker lets you follow your dog’s every move You want to know where your dog is and what he is doing when you’re not around. You’re not overprotective – you just want to make sure that your dog stays safe and healthy. For pet parents who want to be connected to their dog 24/7, there’s the Tagg Pet Tracker. Hooking up with your computer and mobile phone, the Tagg Pet Tracker lets you track your dog’s location no matter where you are. You can monitor his location or his activity level (or if you’re bored at work, it gives you an excuse to take a break and stalk your dog!). The Pet Tracker is lightweight and attaches to your dog’s existing collar. What’s awesome about this product is that it’s GPS pet tracker. And it’s smart – if your dog get out of your house, it will send you a text and email so you can start the search for him immediately. You can pinpoint your dog’s whereabouts on the Tagg map (nationwide in the U.S.). Using a computer or smartphone, zoom in and see his exact location. It even gives you directions to reach your pooch – now that’s pretty accommodating! When you’re setting up the Tagg system on your computer, you’ll set a Tagg zone, which works as a “geofence” around the area where your dog spends most of his time. If you’re dog leaves that area, you’ll get a text alerting you to a Tagg zone breach. You’ll also receive a text when the battery is low on the Pet Tracker. Going the extra mile, the Tagg Pet Tracker also tracks your dog’s activity level. You’ll see how active he is during the day and if he should be getting off his furry butt for more exercise. And Tagg offers detailed, easy-to-use charts that show you the complete picture of your dog’s activity level during the day. The Tagg Pet Tracker is waterproof, easy to set up on your computer and phone (thanks to a mobile app), and snaps onto your dog’s collar securely. You can purchase one unit or buy multiples if there are more pets in your household. It costs $99.95 for the complete unit and includes three months of service. You can learn more about this product or purchase it on the Tagg Pet Tracker website.

CNIB Needs Help Loving Puppies? Sign Us Up!

The Canadian National Institute For the Blind (CNIB) just announced a dog lover’s dream job–an opportunity to love and raise soon-to-be guide dogs. I may be biased, but as a pet writer for PetGuide.com, I have the best job in the world. That said, the Canadian National Institute For the Blind (CNIB) just released information about a job that just may take the puppycake–an official Puppy Raiser! Related: American Humane Turns Shelter Dogs to Service Dogs For Veterans The CNIB just began it’s 100th year by launching their Guide Dog Program, which will raise and train dogs to be service animals for people with sight loss. The first trainees arrived in Canada earlier this week, looking as cute and ready as can be, and they lead the way for the expected puppies that will come into the program over the next year. Cuddly golden retrievers, Piper and Baker are on target to be the first graduates in late 2018, and to be matched with clients shortly after. To aid the efforts, CNIB is looking for Puppy Raisers in the Toronto, Winnipeg and Halifax. Puppy Raisers would not be responsible for actual service training, but for basic love, care and puppy preparation from the age of eight weeks to about 12-15 months. The Puppy Raiser will be part of CNIB’s supervised obedience and socialization program and all costs for the puppies will be paid for by CNIB. CNIB President and CEO John Rafferty says that Canadians with sight loss have shared what services and choices they’d like to have when it comes to service dogs, and the CNIB’s purpose is to train their service dogs to meet those needs. Most importantly, Rafferty says, they want to ensure maximum success for every person with a guide dog–for both the user and dog. Full enjoyment of that relationship is a priority. Related: Cheer for These Adorable Pups Prepping For The Puppy Bowl [Video] As part of the initiative, the CNIB is in process to gain accreditation from the International Guide Dog Federation, which will focus on blind/partially sighted users. They will only work with Golden or Labrador Retrievers from top guide dog breeders, and they will tailor training schedules and goals based on partnership with the user. This may even include training in the user’s home community. All of this will be done at no cost to the user, and both the user and dog will have CNIB’s full support through the life of the dog. CNIB national board member Victoria Nolan is optimistic about the program, as there are almost half a million partially sighted and blind people in Canada. A guide dog offers freedom, confidence and mobility, and Nolan hopes that the program’s advocacy for accessibility will allow guide dog users the ability to go anywhere and/or do anything without discrimination. And it all begins with loving on some furry fluffs before they start their important training. If you’re interested in how to sign up for the (second) best job ever, you can find more information at CNIB’s Guide Dog Volunteer page.

Top 10 Best Psychiatric Service Dog Breeds

Have you heard of psychiatric service dog breeds? These canines are specially trained to maintain their handler’s emotional state.In the world of working dogs, there are some truly special pooches whose careers are devoted solely to helping those in need. Therapy dogs bring joy to infirmed or elderly, Service Dogs support the physically challenged, and Emotional Support dogs provide relief in settings such as funeral homes or crisis situations. But there is another hero in this mix known as Psychiatric Service dog breeds, trained to provide one-on-one support to individuals who have autism, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, and other psychiatric challenges. In fact, these dogs are so in tune with their handlers moods that they can be trained to recognize the signs of a sudden deep depression and to operate a special K9 rescue phone to summon a 911 suicide hotline through a pre-programmed phone. These dogs are a new breed of hero who deserve far more recognition.The Psychiatric Service Dog’s primary function is to maintain their handler’s emotional state and to perform work or tasks the individual is unable to perform. For instance, a psychiatric service dog might be trained to interrupt the repetitive behavior of a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder, or to provide an environmental assessment, or even to remind their handler to take their meds. Having a highly trained dog by their side can help people who have mental health issues lead independent lives and quite often support them in keeping their illness under control. Naturally, as they do complex work, not all dogs can provide service to people with psychiatric disabilities. These tasks are not easy and most pups aren’t up to the task. This service requires a special type of dog that is well suited for a special type of training.So, what’s a prerequisite for any psychiatric service pooch? Well, the size of breed doesn’t really matter. However, temperament does. This means that the dog must be keen-to-please, must be able to work well with a partner, must be reliable, must not be easily distracted, and of course, they must be highly intelligent given the depth of training involved. Yes, these dogs go through a lot of training before they become service dog. After all, they need to know to perform specific tasks that help their owners lead better lives. This isn’t any easy role for any dog to play.While any dog can be a service dog if they have what it takes to live up to the title and go through the extensive training program, there are some dog breeds that are naturally more inclined and capable of doing the work of psychiatric service dogs. Which breeds are there? Keep scrolling to find out. Here’s our list of the best psychiatric service dog breeds:1. Standard Poodle

Wax On or Wax Off – What You Need to Know About Paw Wax

Paw Wax. One of the most intriguing doggy aides of recent times. Sure, it might sound quirky, but what if it actually works? And what exactly have you heard about paw wax? Kevin Roberts clears up a few common myths about paw wax and the right way to use it. Could it be the next best thing for puppers and their owners? Let’s find out.

Peekapoo

Peekapoo Basics Whether he’s on your lap or chasing squirrels, the Peekapoo is a delightful designer dog that’s suitable for a wide range of households. Loyal and affectionate, this breed is attached to his family – so much so that he may be quite protective of you in certain circumstances. Naturally, due to their petite size, they don’t make good guard dogs- but their tendency to act like one will definitely amuse you to no end! As their name suggests, Peekapoo is a mixed breed dog whose parents are a purebred Pekingese and a purebred Toy or Miniature Poodle. Both his mom and dad have a lot of impressive traits, and their offspring will inherit a good portion of them- if not all. A wonderful companion to those who have mild allergies, the Peekapoo is a true “Doodle” dog, which means he has a low- to non-shedding coat that won’t set you off into sneezes. But that’s not the only reason why the Peekapoo makes a great pet. Low-maintenance when it comes to their activity and grooming needs, and with a friendly, sweet temperament, the Peekapoo has a lot to offer to many pet owners. Seniors and retirees, as well as singles, will find this designer dog a perfect companion, but families with older children might also enjoy the Peekapoo’s goofy antics and eagerness to please. Whether he’s on your lap or chasing squirrels, the Peekapoo is a delightful designer dog that’s suitable for a wide range of households. Origin Developed in the 1950s in the United States, the Peekapoo is one of the oldest designer dog breeds. In fact, these hybrids had their start even before the term designer dogs was coined in the first place- and their long history is just a testament to their many qualities. Bred to be a low-shedding, hypoallergenic companion dog, the Peekapoo gained popularity by the early 1960s and is still a popular breed today. Pedigree

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