Lifestyle

Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably in a crate. A crate that is too small can cause stress and discomfort, while one that is too large may not feel secure and may make training more difficult.

Give the gift of love by sheltering a foster dog or volunteering at your local animal shelter this season. Whole Dog Journal editor Nancy Kerns recounts why, even in the most trying of times, there's no greater feeling than opening your home to a life in need.

There is no such thing as a dog that is truly hypoallergenic, but some dogs are less likely to trigger a hypersensitivity reaction in people with allergies. Certain grooming and house-cleaning practices can also help a dog-allergic person live with a dog.

Yes. Dogs can tear them apart and swallow the threads, which can result in an obstruction and costly surgery.

Like most positive dog trainers, I constantly remind my students that, whether they are conscious of it or not, they are training their dogs every moment they spend together. Whatever you choose to reinforce -- even when you’re not in a formal training session -- will affect your dog’s future behavior. The things that your dog does that you frequently reinforce are likely to increase, so it makes sense to reinforce him as frequently as you can for the behaviors that you enjoy. Here’s an interesting and powerful side-effect of frequent positive reinforcement: This practice can not only influence your dog’s behavior in a way that you like, but also improve your relationship in a sort of positive feedback loop. When a dog (or anyone!) is rewarded, it makes him feel good – about himself and the person giving the reward. And when your dog feels good about you, it tends to make him want to be with you more, and it motivates him try to earn even more reinforcements. Said simply, frequent positive reinforcements strengthen the relationship between you and your dog.

Whether you have a nervous pup who needs lots of counter-conditioning or you just want to keep your dog’s recall sharp, carrying treats with you in a dog treat pouch is vital. You never know when a training opportunity will arise, and one of the best ways to positively reinforce your dog is with a tasty snack. We tested five popular options and came up with the best dog treat pouches and bags for hiking, training, and more. Read on for how we tested and our top picks:

"As soon as Sam is the right age, we’re going to get a dog,” my friend said. According to her research, 5 years old...

Adding a new dog to the family is an exciting time. It also has the potential to be a little stressful, especially as everyone is getting to know each other, or when you’re welcoming an older dog rather than a puppy.

There are two different types of dog dancing in the United States The first is musical freestyle. The other type of dog dancing is heelwork to music, which has stricter rules

When my 14-year-old dog Harper was in her last months of life, I bought a white sofa. She no longer had the ability to jump on the sofa and wasn’t interested in using her steps. And when she was gone, it was our plan to be dogless for a couple of years while we traveled. So why not get a white sofa?

Dogs and the outdoors go hand-in-hand. Whether you love hiking mountain peaks or just lounging at basecamp, dogs make great outdoor adventuring companions. Beyond...

Low-maintenance and low-energy dog breeds may be the answer for some older adults, but not for everyone. You need to adopt the dog you want and can handle safely.