Anyone who has ever known and loved a dog knows how important they are to us. As such, it might be difficult to imagine a loving breeder ever choosing to work with a pet store. After all, how could a breeder bear to place the future of their precious puppies in someone else’s hands? In truth, many responsible breeders can and do work with pet stores. Here’s why. The Hard Work of a Breeder At […]
Your Guide to Hypoallergenic Puppies
Why are some dogs considered hypoallergenic and some dogs aren’t? If I have allergies, are dogs out of the picture for me? Do hypoallergenic puppies shed? If you’re considering adopting a dog, these may be questions you are considering. At Puppies ‘N Love and Animal Kingdom, we’re here to help demystify this process. This is your guide to hypoallergenic puppies. What makes a dog hypoallergenic? One of the most common misconceptions about pet allergies […]
Your First Day with Your Puppy
It’s time! You’ve chosen the perfect pup to fit your lifestyle, your home is puppy-proofed and supplies are prepped, and you have a game plan for your life with your puppy. Now there is only one thing left to do – bring home that dog! Here are some recommendations to help your first day with your puppy be a memory that you can treasure for life! Prepare Your Space Designate an area to be your […]
Ten Common Puppy Fears
For puppies, the world is new, strange, and sometimes frightening. As we covered in our last blog, all puppies go through fear periods during which new phobias can develop. While first priority should be socializing puppies to people and other animals, this is also the prime time to address other fears. We asked our trainer what sorts of things scare puppies in her experience. Here are ten common puppy fears, ranging from potentially debilitating to […]
Suddenly Spooked: Your Puppy and Fear Periods
It can happen seemingly out of nowhere. One moment, your puppy is the exuberant bundle of energy that your family brought home. The next, they’re a nervous in situations that never bothered them before. What happened? Is your puppy broken? No need to panic! Your puppy may just be going through one of their fear periods! What is a fear period? Fear periods are stages in a puppy’s growth where they become increasingly sensitive to […]
Dog First Aid on the Go
Your dog being injured while you’re on a hike is the sort of thing most people imagine happening somebody else… right up until it happens to you. In a perfect world, every outing would be smooth from start to finish. In reality, accidents happen. If your dog sustains an injury while you’re out and about, arm yourself with the right supplies and knowledge to tackle the situation. Here is a basic rundown of dog first […]
Your Guide to Hiking and Camping with Your Puppy
Arizona is a great place to live if you are the outdoors-y type. In the fall and winter, Arizona is home to some truly spectacular hiking trails. In Phoenix alone, you can find more than 200 miles of trails for any fitness level. During the spring and summer months, beat the heat with camping trips in northern Arizona. If you’re a dog owner, there are added benefits of providing excellent exercise and mental stimulation for […]
Teaching Your Puppy Good Leash Manners
When picturing dog ownership, walking with your dog is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. After all, not only is walking great exercise for your dog (and for you!), but it’s also built-in bonding time. It’s truly a shame that for so many people, walks are a frustrating tug-of-war. It doesn’t have to be this way! By learning to communicate with your puppy and teaching them expectations, you can create more […]
5 Crate Games You Can Play with Your Puppy
A crate is one of the most helpful tools when it comes to training your puppy. It’s a way of keeping your puppy safe from hazards when you cannot watch them, a potty training tool, a secure method of transportation, and a haven for when your puppy is feeling overwhelmed, all rolled into one! However, in order to serve any of these roles, your puppy must first become comfortable in the crate. Here are some […]
Helping a Dog with Separation Anxiety
In our last blog post, we discussed best methods to help prevent separation anxiety with your new puppy. Prevention is the first line of defense for any behavioral issue. However, what do you do if your dog is already showing signs of separation anxiety? Here are some tips to help you ease dog separation anxiety. A Quick Look Dogs that have separation anxiety can show symptoms ranging from behavioral (destruction, potty accidents) to physical (vomiting, […]
Preventing Separation Anxiety in Puppies
We love our dogs, and our dogs love us. Under ordinary circumstances, this bond is one of the most wonderful things in the world! However, just like for humans, a bond that becomes too codependent becomes unhealthy. Anywhere between 20%-40% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety… and this number may have grown significantly since the pandemic! Here are some steps you can take to prevent separation anxiety from ever becoming an issue for your puppy! […]
Good Dog! Bad Dog! Understanding How Dogs Learn
Everyone thinks they’re great at communicating with their dog – and for the most part, they’re right! Dogs have evolved to be incredibly attuned to our emotions, and the average dog can learn up to 165 human words. However, humans have a more nuanced understanding of cause and effect than animals, which can lead to confusion. Today we’re taking a dive into canine psychology and animal behavior to help you better reinforce the behaviors you […]
Obedience and Generalization: What it is and why it is important to dog training
Has this ever happened to you? You are out and about with your puppy and you give them a command that they should know by heart and your puppy simply… does not do it. “But they do it perfectly at home!” you may think. Has your puppy forgotten all of their training? Do they just not listen to you anymore? Don’t worry! You aren’t starting from square one and your puppy is (probably) not ignoring […]
Reducing Fear of Noises in Dogs
Phonophobia, or fear of loud noises, is a common behavioral problem for dogs. In fact, it may affect anywhere between a quarter and half of the dog population! Whether you’re looking to raise a confident puppy or help an adult dog that has developed this fear, owners can take steps to reduce fear of noises in dogs. Here is how! Start Young As with most training, the younger that you can start to work with […]
The 4th Without Fear: Keeping Your Puppy Calm During Fireworks
Fireworks are a fun pastime for humans, but for dogs, holidays like Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve can be terrifying. Dogs have hearing far more sensitive than that of humans. Moreover, we understand that fireworks are a part of a celebration; for a dog, explosions have suddenly started in the sky for no reason! Here are some tips to help keep your puppy calm and safe this 4th of July. A Holiday of […]
How to Prepare For Your Puppy Part 2: Planning for a Smooth Transition
In our last blog post, we discussed the ways to make your home physically ready for a new puppy. By having the right supplies on hand and puppy proofing your house, you will be ready to go on day one! However, perhaps equally important is your mental preparation and to plan for your your puppy. Here are some things to plan out before your puppy gets home. Have a Medical Care Plan Having a quality […]
How to Prepare for Your Puppy part 1: Supplies and Puppy-Proofing
Whether you are a parent or not, most of us are at least passingly familiar with the time and preparation that goes into bringing home a new baby. Parents-to-be build a nursery and stock up on supplies that their new baby will need. Getting a puppy is admittedly a bit different, but one thing remains the same – if you’re bringing home a new family member, you’re going to need to do some preparation! Here […]
How to Choose a Puppy
So you’ve decided to embark on the exciting journey of getting a puppy – congratulations! The bond that you share with a dog that you have raised since puppyhood is truly unique. Your lifetime of love starts with a very important step: finding your new best friend! Here are some recommendations on how to choose a puppy that is perfect for your life. Remember that breed plays a role Every dog’s personality is going to […]
Keeping Cool in AZ – Your Ultimate Dog Heat Safety (and Fun!) Guide
The heat is on! Living in the desert has many benefits, but one major drawback is weathering the extreme temperatures. Our Ultimate Dog Heat Safety Guide is our resource to help keep your pup safe and happy this summer. Dog Heat Safety on a Walk Avoid the Hottest Hours For both your dog’s safety and your own, you should avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day. Contrary to popular belief, temperatures do […]
Dog Safety with Wildlife in Arizona
It’s a big, beautiful desert wonderland out there! Arizona is home to some of the most stunning hiking trails in the country. Even if you’re just going for a quick jaunt around the neighborhood or hanging out in your yard, the Sonoran desert is full of flora and fauna for you and your dog to enjoy… but do so carefully! Our previous blog posts address dog safety around other pets, but what about wild ones? […]
How to Introduce Your Puppy to Your Cat
“Are you a cat person or a dog person?” For 24% of the US population, the answer is both! Owning both cats and dogs can give you the best of both worlds, but getting these two opposites to get along is a challenge all of it’s own. We are here to tell you that peace is possible! Here is how to introduce your puppy to your cat. Consider Personalities Before embarking on this endeavor, you […]
Dog Playdate Dos and Don’ts
In our last blog post, we covered how to introduce your old dog to your new dog to set the stage for happy coexistence. At this point, you may be wondering “What about for dogs that we do not live with?” After all, dog lovers frequently have friends and family with dogs, and what would be cuter than your dogs being best friends? We understand, and we say long live the doggy playdate! Here are […]
How to Introduce Dogs: Setting Up for a Lifetime of Love!
What’s the only thing better than a dog? That’s right, two dogs! Owning multiple dogs can be beneficial to both you and your pets. However, while dogs are inherently social animals, simply putting two dogs into a room and expecting an instant friendship to form is not a good idea! Your dogs’ first few interactions will set the tone for their relationship. Let’s make sure to make that first impression a good one! Here’s how […]
What is Puppy Training? Why it’s Essential and Key Components to Quality Training
Preview (opens in a new tab)What does it mean to train with your puppy? Some people may think that this begins and ends with teaching them how to sit, lie down, and possibly a handful of tricks. In truth, training is so much more than basic obedience. Training is the very foundation on which you and your puppy will build your life, communication, and bond upon. This is why new puppy owners should not only […]
