As pet parents, our dog’s overall health means a lot to us. However, sometimes it is easy for us to overlook the most common (and preventative) diseases that can affect our four-legged family members. We all know that diseases such as pet obesity (see our article Obesity in Dogs) are becoming all too prevalent. However, […] Read More »
This lifestyle issue focuses on two local non-profits who do great work here in Southern California. Both were founded in 2014, yet they serve our communities (and the pets within them) in two diverse yet equally important ways. We hope these stories and their noble work inspire you – as they do us – during this season of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving! Read More »
As we enter into the full swing of the holiday season, our festivities will be a little different this year. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we are going to need to celebrate conscientiously. This care should extend beyond our human companions to our pets. Read More »
For K-12 students, back-to-school means continuing their education as well as building social and behavioral skills through interaction with their peers and teachers. Unfortunately, this school year in this midst of the COVID-19 pandemic looks very different this year. Most students have to get used to the ‘new normal’ of virtual education, which poses challenges both socially and academically. Read More »
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps your grand designs for a summer vacation were not realized. Well, we have an excellent idea for you, your neighbors, and friends to end this month with a happy and safe gathering. Read More »
In these uncertain times, we all owe a debt of gratitude to our courageous first responders during this COVID-19 pandemic – each one of them is a hero. This month we would like to salute the four-legged heroes who also work tirelessly to aid humanity worldwide. Read More »
This weekend we happily celebrate both the first day of summer and a day to honor our fathers. We hope you enjoy this tribute to all the ‘dog dad’s’ out there! Happy Father’s Day! Read More »
I don’t know about all of you, but the climate in my house is getting a little testy. All this inseparability was, at first, enjoyable, but now we are all too quickly getting on each other’s nerves. What started as happy hearth and home, has turned into an episode of American Horror Story. Read More »
There has been a lot of talk about how we humans are feeling (coping) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there has been little discussion about how our emotions could, in turn, be disconcerting to our pets. To ponder this further, D.O.G. Certified spoke with Dr. Deena Case-Pall, a consulting psychologist who works with pet owners, veterinarians, pet rescues, and animal control organizations to help we humans better understand our companion animals. Read More »
It would be hard to argue that by the time February rolls around, we are all ready for a little more sunshine and a little less of old-man-winter. Read More »
Happy 2020! We all seem to start every year with the best intentions for improvement in our lives. If you were fortunate enough to bring a four-legged friend into your family over the holidays, dog training would be a great resolution! Read More »
Don’t all our hearts melt a little at the thought of unveiling from the last beautifully wrapped box under the tree a perfect puppy with a big red bow – an idyllic and already loved member of the family - Well, this image works in a thirty-second commercial, but not in the real world. Read More »
In this month, where we as a nation take time to gather and give thanks, we pet parents know all too well the blessings our pets provide for us all year round. Read More »
We are fast approaching the night we get to dress up in scary outfits, and make it our mission to ask perfect strangers to give us candy - yes!...it’s Halloween! And although this night can provide a lot of fun, frightening adventure (in a good way), it can prove to be a terrifying experience for your pet. Read More »
Unfortunately, it is time to wave goodbye to summer and greet the back-to-school and a quickly approaching autumn season. No doubt, as kids are at school, they will miss their beloved pets and visa-Versa. Read More »
As summer begins to fade into the sunset, many of us want to take advantage of these last days of warm weather and enjoy outdoor activities with our pets. However, in the height of this season’s heat and humidity (or dog days…pardon the expression), there are dangers lurking – literally in your yard – which can cause injury to your beloved pet. Read More »
Now that summers upon us, it’s time to hit the road for a little R & R. We all know the best va-kays include our four-legged family members, so we have a few tips for you while traveling with your beloved pets. Read More »
Dear Dad – Father’s Day seems like the perfect time to pay tribute to my favorite guy – you! A lot of dogs would certainly envy me because I have such a great dad. You always make a point of doing the things I love – running, playing, eating – oh and hanging out watching TV! How lucky am I to have a dad who is as excited to see and spend time with me as I am with him? Read More »
As we usher in the seasons for warmer weather, unfortunately, this also means the unwelcome visitation of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes which can harm our beloved pets. As we know, pets can contract Lyme disease from ticks, heartworm disease from mosquitos, and typhus from fleas. Of course, the first line of defense again these parasites is prevention, but we pet parents must also take a proactive approach for the health of our four-legged friends as well as humans who live in our households. Read More »
It is safe to say, that we here in the United States love our pets. In a 2017-18 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 84.6 million U.S. households’ have pets. That means that 68% of us have at least one pet within our homes. There have been other surveys which convey that the vast majority of Americans consider our pets as part of the family. Read More »
Now that we are a month into the new year, chances are a few of those resolutions you made have been broken. No worries. Instead of resolutions, we suggest some simple activities you can do throughout this year that affords you the opportunity to partner with your beloved pet. Here are our top 5 suggestions Read More »