General Care & Safety Tips

Avoiding Incidents with Stray Dogs
Stray dogs—dogs that have been abandoned and are homeless or dogs that are running loose without an owner—are a growing problem nationwide. By some reports, more than 500,000 dogs are lost or abandoned every month across the ... [view full item]

Choosing a Dog: The Right Age, Breed and Temperament for Your Family
In support of November's National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, Bark Busters wants to help you choose the right dog for your family. A dog’s breed and temperament, combined with your lifestyle and personality, all play ... [view full item]

Communicating Leadership to Your Dog
According to research from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, many pets brought to shelters are surrendered because of behavior problems that their owners believe to be permanent. Approximately 70 percent of these animals end up being ... [view full item]

Cosmetic Surgery For Dogs
Just when I thought I had heard of everything as a Bark Busters Home Dog Trainer, I just read an article in The Baltimore Insider about cosmetic surgery for dogs. Before you totally discredit the idea as I ... [view full item]

Does Your Dog Have Allergies?
Achoo! This is a sound heard around our household as Spring and Summer sets in and everything begins to bloom. Think about how miserable you are – your eyes running, your nose dripping and a general feeling of ... [view full item]

Dog Aggression Behavior Patterns
Dogs aren’t born aggressive—but when aggression occurs, especially toward humans, the problem must be dealt with firmly. For both safety and liability reasons, aggression is among the most serious issues dog training professionals are asked to address. ... [view full item]

Dog Etiquette Tips
Making sure our canine companions mind their manners at home and in public is our responsibility as pet parents. By observing these guidelines, you and your dog will avoid unsafe and unsavory situations. The following tips ... [view full item]

Dog Park Safety
Dog parks can be a great way to socialize your dog, but can also be unsafe if proper measures aren’t taken. The following tips will help you keep your dog safe and happy at the park. ... [view full item]

Dog Safety Tips for Parents & Children
We’ve all seen them: those carefree dog food commercials that feature adorable, furry puppies jumping on the laps of children, licking their faces and, for the most part, being on their best behavior. Unable to resist the ... [view full item]

Fire Safety for Dog Owners
Your pets are treasured family members and need protection as much as your own family in the event of fire. Sadly, some 500,000 pets are affected by fires each year, and over 40,000 of them die. Most ... [view full item]

Helping Your Dog Recover From An Injury
Whether your dog is recovering from an injury, illness or surgery, it is important to look after his needs, ensure he has the time to recuperate fully, and follow the veterinarian’s instructions. Sometimes this is harder on ... [view full item]

Helping Your Dog Recover From Injury, Illness or Surgery
Whether your dog is recovering from an injury, illness or surgery, it is important to look after his needs, ensure he has time and space to recuperate, and follow the directions given to you by your veterinarian. ... [view full item]

How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog?
How often should you bathe your dog? Should your dog be groomed once a week, once a month?  The answer to this question depends on the breed, the environment, your dog’s level of activity and any skin issues. ... [view full item]

How to Prevent Dog Bites
Nationwide statistics underscore the need to raise awareness around the dangerous problem of dog bites, and to educate the public about what can be done to prevent them. According to the American Veterinary Association and Centers for ... [view full item]

How to Show Affection to Your Dog
Humans use touch to communicate greetings, connection and affection via a handshake, hug or kiss. Dogs use gestures to communicate affection, too—they nuzzle, nudge, rub up against and even groom each other. Using human gestures on our ... [view full item]

How Your Dog's Behavior is Linked to Nutrition
Just as we humans need good nutrition to function at our best, your canine companion also requires a balanced diet for optimal health and wellbeing. With proper nourishment, your dog can grow and develop to his full ... [view full item]

Mental vs. Physical Stimulation for Your Dog
Does this description sound familiar to you: “My dog, Ranger, just won’t settle down. He seems to have an endless supply of energy, even after running around all day.” This is a common description shared by many ... [view full item]

Natural Disaster & Preparedness & Safety for Pets
If you live in an area prone to weather-related catastrophes such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or floods, remember to include your pets in your emergency safety plans. Below are general guidelines to help you prepare for a ... [view full item]

Natural Dog Behaviors
Let’s face it. Some of the things dogs do drive us crazy! And yet, digging, chewing and jumping all come naturally to dogs. Even so, while some bad behaviors are natural, they do not have to be ... [view full item]

Playing Fetch With Your Dog? Be Careful!
Ah the joys of Spring and Summer, when you can be outside with your dog enjoying the fresh air! You’re hiking along a trail and your dog picks up a stick. Your instinct is to throw it. Although ... [view full item]

Poisons in Your Home & Yard
Since dogs, especially young dogs, are naturally curious creatures, it is important that we know and remain vigilant about potential poisons that our inquisitive pooches may find and ingest. Numerous toxic items can be found both ... [view full item]

Read Your Dog's Body Language
Just like us humans, dogs use a body language all their own to communicate with one another. They use that language to communicate with us, too; it’s just that most of us aren’t tuned in to it. ... [view full item]

Should You Buy Pet Insurance?
Do you get sticker shock when you go to the Doctor? Not only do you pay for the visit, but if you have to have blood work or any additional tests, it costs extra. The same can happen ... [view full item]

Speak Your Dog's Language for Better Communication
To communicate with one another, dogs use body language and guttural sounds, such as barks and growls. When they first meet, dogs use their body language to assess each other. Signs of assertiveness and confidence are a ... [view full item]

Taking Care Of Your Dogs Eyes
When was the last time you checked your dog’s eyes for tearing, cloudiness or inflammation? These can all be signs of a more serious health problem. It’s not that hard to check them. In a well-lit area, ... [view full item]

Technology and Your Dog
There is no doubt that we humans are into technology … if we forget our cell phones, we feel naked. And where would we be without our computers, iPads and laptops? In fact, I read an interesting statistic ... [view full item]

Tips for Grooming Your Dog
Whether you opt to take your dog to a professional groomer, use a self-service dog wash, or handle all of your dog’s grooming at home, regular grooming will keep your dog healthy and happy. In addition ... [view full item]

Tips for Responsible Dog Ownership
Dogs need order and leadership from their “pack leader,” which means that good canine manners start with you! Here are some basic tips for responsible dog ownership that will help you have a long and healthy relationship ... [view full item]

Top 10 Tips EVERY Dog Owner Should Know
A dog is a dog. The greatest misconception many dog owners have is to assume their dogs communicate the way people do. Dogs instinctively follow the same rules and exhibit many of the same behavioral patterns ... [view full item]

Training Dogs the Aussie Way
While pet owners would prefer their dog’s bark be worse than his bite, constant barking can be particularly biting to the ears—and patience. A dog that jumps up on people, is too aggressive, or does not come ... [view full item]

Using Crates & Barriers with Your Dog
A dog’s most basic need for safety is shelter, or a den. While your dog may feel that your whole house is his den, it can sometimes be too large of a space for him to feel ... [view full item]

Want To Know Your Dog’s DNA?
Many times dog owners rescue dogs from animal shelters or rescue organizations, and they have no idea what breed the dog is. You may think your dog is part lab, part golden retriever, but you don’t really know. ... [view full item]

What is Your Dog Learning Today?
Compared to our hectic schedules, our dogs have very little to do or think about every day. Often, our dogs are simply observing the activity around them. They watch us, study us, and learn from us. Our ... [view full item]

What is Your Leadership Style?
Every mammal has a social structure—especially those that live in groups. Packs are the social structure that dogs understand, and every pack requires a leader who can accommodate the pack’s complex decision-making requirements, such as food, entertainment, ... [view full item]

What to Expect During Your Puppy's First Year
Understanding a puppy’s stages of development during the first 12 months can help you create a stronger, richer relationship with your new companion. This article addresses what to expect during the first year and provides tips for ... [view full item]

What Your Body Language Tells Your Dog
Dogs have a specific way of interacting, which includes an instinctual manner of communication. Learning how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language he understands is the first step in establishing your leadership. By leveraging ... [view full item]

Why People Don't Train Their Dogs (& Why They Should)
Many of us consider our dogs to be members of our family. In many ways, they are. We form a special bond with dogs that few other animals share. Some dog owners go so far as to ... [view full item]