“When my family decided to get ourselves a beagle puppy, we had no idea what we’d be in for. For a beagle puppy is not just any puppy. Snoopy spent just about a week in the special crate we purchased for him. He then made his way into my bed and now I must admit […]

There’s a good reason why the beagle is one of the most desired pet dog breeds today. The friendly and playful hound has an effervescent nature and loves being a part of the family. Beagles tend to be generally good with other dogs, and often with cats – especially if socialised well at an early […]

Hi everyone!! I am back! This time let’s talk about the Pros and Cons of Crate training your puppy. Crate training has always been a point of confusion for all Pet Parents. Should you or should not crate train your doggo? Here are the pros and cons of crate training that can hopefully help you […]

Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a pleasant trip for both humans and pooches. Research beforehand
: It’s super important to do our research beforehand. Dogs might not be allowed in certain zones. A few areas may be too dangerous for the dogs to venture out. We have been to a […]

Finding pet-friendly accommodation is sometimes the difficult aspect of the trip. On our three-month-long trip (Bangalore-Kanyakumari-Kashmir -Bangalore, covering 15 states) we stopped at places that had pet-friendly accommodation.  I relied on Airbnb, Booking.com and similar websites. I would spend hours finding hotels and homestays that were listed as pet-friendly, and then called or emailed them […]

Travelling with dogs is so much fun! Here’s a list of things we wouldn’t leave home without when we travel with dogs   Spare collar and leash Long leash: We LOVE the 20/30 feet ones from For The Love of Dog Water bowl: Pet water bottles are good too but we love the collapsible bowls […]

There are two kinds of trips — one where your destination is already decided upon by the humans and you don’t want to leave your dog behind. The second is where you want to take your dog on a vacation and plan the destination around it. I see a LOT of pet parents are slowly […]

How can I travel with my pet dog? When you consider your dog a part of your family, we want our furry babies to be a part of all the important events and experiences of our life. Travelling and going on a vacation is no exception. I have travelled with my two Golden Retrievers — […]

How I got my beagle to like me, (and so can you) It took me two years to decide if I had it in me to raise a puppy — My lifestyle and work kept me out of home or even the city for three to four days a week. When I finally decided to […]

Are you looking at adding a new addition to your family, but maybe don’t have the time, energy and environment that a puppy requires? Then a senior dog is the one for you! Puppies can make your hair out with their unending energy, give you sleepless nights with their constant toileting and destroy furniture while […]

The delightful Dachshund makes for an endearing and loyal pet. For all its current pampered lifestyle, the Wiener dog (The nickname gained notoriety after an American artist drew a dachshund in a hot dog bun in the early 20th century) harks back to a crude beginning. The dog was developed by the foresters of Germany […]

Lucy, my 12-year-old puppy The biggest misconception people have about adopting senior dogs is that they will not bond with them as strongly as they would with puppies. This could not be more false. Many senior dogs who come up for adoption have lived in homes, hopefully with loving families and they miss that. Especially […]

Box: Did you know? The Weimaraner remained a relatively unknown breed till internationally prominent artist and photographer William Wegman discovered his dog Man Ray’s love for the spotlight in 1970. Wegman’s photos and videos of Weimaraners frequently dressed like people and striking unusual poses became a rage and the Weimaraner became known as the dog […]

Cocker Spaniels are generally eager to please and with gentle handling (they respond poorly to harsh treatment), can be trained in any area. The dog’s food-motivated and intelligent nature makes training with treats and toys a good choice for it. Many Cockers like to do tricks and enjoy playing ball as well. Obedience training is […]

One of the most recognised breeds the world over,   the   German Shepherd  Dog,  or  GSD  as it is popularly known,  has been around for only about 90   years.   The breed traces its ancestors to a widely diverse group of herding and farm dogs in Germany.  In the late  19th Century,    […]

Trekking or hiking is one of the best ways to give your dog access to its natural pastimes of digging, shredding, and sniffing. Not to mention, a great way to decompress from urban stressors and the pressure of being a gentleman/lady dog all the time. Here are a few things to keep in mind before […]

‘My dog is my therapy dog!’ is a common refrain I hear from pet parents. Every person whose family includes dogs has no doubt about the joy, laughter, bonding and stress relief it brings to the family. Our family realized just how much we missed these therapeutic effects after we lost our 13.5-year-old dog, Lara. […]

Contrary to widespread belief, hypoallergenic (not likely to cause an allergic reaction) or non-allergenic dogs do not exist. Since all dogs produce dander and saliva — the offending allergens, no dog is considered truly non- allergenic. Certain breeds such as the Maltese and Schnauzer because of their coat type, tend to produce fewer allergens than […]

Many theories abound as to why dogs eat grass. Some veterinarians believe it is because their prepared diets are lacking in greens. Another theory suggests that a dog that is fed an unbalanced diet may eat grass to compensate for a lack of roughage. Another theory suggests that the dog is performing a behaviour similar […]

The Labrador is extremely intelligent and enjoys learning. The dog thrives on praise and should never be trained using harsh methods; experts rely instead on reward based methods as it responds particularly well to food and toy rewards.   The fast-growing Lab pup is almost as big as an adult at six months and should […]

Did you know that our Constitution demands that we show compassion to animals? Yes, that‘s right. It also says that neglecting an animal can risk arrest and imprisonment, without a warrant. They are not perfect and have a long way to go — especially for the fine levied on s/he who harms an animal. But […]

The short answer is NO! The long answer is that some dogs enjoy the company of other dogs, but even those dogs do not enjoy the company of all other dogs. They may greet special friends, but ignore others completely. Naturally, most dogs grow less interested in the company of other dogs with age. A […]

One of the most popular breeds in the world, the Labrador Retriever originated from Newfoundland and not Labrador, as the name suggests. In Newfoundland, the dogs took to the water readily and helped haul in the nets. Fishermen brought the dog to England in the early 19th century. Originally, the dogs ranged from a heavy-coated […]

Most dogs given half a chance would grab a mouthful of animal manure when out for a walk. Repulsive to us, coprophagia, as the condition is known, is perfectly normal behaviour among dogs. There are many theories as to why a dog can become coprophagic: It can be a symptom of medical conditions such as […]

Why do dogs sniff each other’s bum? When two dogs meet, they greet each other by sniffing the other’s rear end. The dog’s anal glands lie on either side of its anus which secrete a strong-smelling fluid when a dog meets another, is aggressively aroused, excited, scared or even angry. This fluid contains certain odours […]

Living with Snoopy “When my family decided to get ourselves a beagle puppy, we had no idea what we’d be in for. For a beagle puppy is not just any puppy. Snoopy spent just about a week in the special crate we purchased for him. He then made his way into my bed and now […]

Have you recently brought home a new puppy? Are you looking forward to a lifetime of fun bonding, playtime, and learning tricks with your little Luna or Max? Hiring a good trainer can decisively shape this very bond. So, how do you find the right trainer? Here are five signs to look out for! For […]

Here are some points to consider before bringing home a dog to keep your first dog company By Shirin Merchant Nandini’s dog Bruno a GSD was about 7 years old when she saw him slow down and stop playing as enthusiastically as he used. She remembered how much fun he used to have playing with […]

– By Namratha Rao This morning, after the routine walk, my father took my dog to the basketball court. It is a safe dog-and-children hang-out spot most mornings. Today, there were two other dogs, half a dozen children, several balls and sticks being thrown for the dogs. After about 20 min of loitering, Ginger started […]

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DAY 21 Don’t give up… The last 3 weeks have been difficult for so many in India. Whilst I am not trying to belittle the troubles of many others in the country, I do know that many pet parents are struggling to make sense of the situation. Some of you live alone or have a […]

DAY 20 HAS THE LOCKDOWN DISTRESSED YOUR DOG? With the lockdown causing an upheaval in our lives and in those of our dogs, it isn’t odd for many pet parents to see signs of distress in their dogs. A change in diet, toiletting timings, constantly having family at home, lack of exercise and human worry […]

DAY 19 SCENTWORK Can’t go out for your regular walk? How about playing a scenting game? You can hide a toy or even yourself and get your dog to use her nose. The game can be played anywhere, home, building compound, terrace, even on a stairwell. All dogs love scenting games and its a great […]

DAY 17 MUSIC THERAPY TO HELP CALM DOGS When I first met Rustom and he told me that his dogs enjoyed his taste in music – which included Guns N’ Roses, I must admit I was sceptical. Till, he played the song (which you can hear in the video below) and his dog started to […]

DAY 13 Things you should NOT do to your dog during the lockdown! Do not cut your dog’s nails on your own, especially if you have no experience in it and never by using human nail cutters. Do not paint your dog’s nails – no matter how bored you are. Give your dog a haircut […]

DAY 12 Lighting a candle today to show solidarity with India today? Do be careful if you have a pet at home. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Do not keep candles or diyas on the floor where a dog can step on it or singe his tail. Keep them on higher counters […]

DAY 11 Have you run out of games and toys to keep your dog engaged with during the lockdown? Here is a fun and simple way to use basic commands to teach your dog how to dance with you. So get some treats, put on some peppy music and have fun! In this clip, professional […]

DAY 10 HANDLING YOUR DOG WHEN YOU ARE UNDER COVID-19 QUARANTINE It’s been over a week that we are all isolating in an effort to flatten the curve. But in spite of all the precautions, what if you or a family member does get infected? If you have symptoms of corona virus, if you under […]

DAY 9 5 WAYS THE LOCKDOWN WAS BENEFICIAL FOR PET PARENTS   You could take your dog to work everyday. Being at home meant more time playing with your dog Having your dog around means less stress for you Reduced feelings of isolation when your dog is around Better sleep at night with a doggy […]

DAY 8 DOG FRIENDLY- ICE CREAM RECIPE Are you and your dog bored during the lockdown? Here’s a way to put your culinary skills to good use and make a fun snack for your dog to try this summer. Get our dog-friendly recipe from canine nutritionist, Brinda Thakker. Do give it a try and let […]

DAY 7 SIT! STAY! The 21 DAY DOG CHALLENGE As we all sit around in our homes with our pampered pooches by our side, we have found it easy to complain. Pet parent group chats include sentences such as “Oh Gawd, my poor darling has to now eat ghar ka khana as her gluten-free imported […]

Dear pet parents, For many of you who looked at the 21-day lockdown as a great time to be with your pets and catch up on your training, brush up on their obedience skills and perfect that lax recall, here is something you need to hear… Your dogs are probably as apprehensive as you are. […]

DAY 6 Are you and your dog both bored during the lock down? Have you run out of training commands? How about trying out this nifty one of teaching your dog to wake up all the lazy people at home. Do give it a try and let us know how it goes. Oh! Wake Up! […]

DAY 5 HOW DO YOU PREVENT YOUR STRESS FROM AFFECTING YOUR DOG? The #21daylockdown got your dog’s tail in a twist? Learn how to keep your dog healthy, happy and prevent long terms issues that could crop up from the long confinement. Webinar will include… – What possible behaviour issues could crop up? – What […]

DAY 4 HOW DO YOU PREVENT YOUR STRESS FROM AFFECTING YOUR DOG? Many of you have written in to me telling me how upset or depressed you are with the current situation and that you are worried about your dog picking up on your stress. Here are a few tips to help you out. 1. […]

DAY 3 Separation anxiety in dogs arising from the 21 day lockdown For many dogs it is a joy to have us home all the time, especially those dogs that have had to compete with your job for attention. But allowing your dog to constantly get your attention through this lockdown can have adverse affects […]

DAY 2 We live in a world where we have more access to information on dogs than ever before, yet we are struggling to understand our dogs, with disobedient dogs, aggression and even fear. Overwhelmed with the amount of dogs struggling to cope, I took a trip to a remote village in Maharashtra to see […]

Dear pet parents, We are in the midst of difficult times. Your dogs are probably as apprehensive as you are. They may not know what exactly is going on but they do know that we are stressed, frightened and maybe even depressed. They love us and they feel our pain. Of course, having you at […]

For the past few months the Shroff’s were debating buying a dog. It was three years since their last dog had passed away. But with the tight schedule the family had, what with school, tuitions, the cook off on vacation, and Mr. Shroff putting in extra hours at work, Mrs. Shroff just didn’t have time […]

Stop a dog pulling on the leash One of the many perks of owning a dog is the long walks you and your best friend can take together. Not only is walking a great form of exercise, but it’s also a wonderful way to spend quality time with your dog. Most dogs love going for […]

WHY WON’T YOUR PUP GET TOILET TRAINED? 5 common mistakes pet owners make when housetraining their puppies Toilet training a pup is a relatively easy process. Yet, most puppy owners struggle to get their pup to toilet in the correct place. Simple mistakes can complicate the process and prolong the process. Here are a few […]

“How compassion saved more than the canines.” – By ANDREW HARVEY WHEN I LIVED IN PARIS in my 30s, I had a friend who was in her early 80s and lived in a studio with two blind dogs and a cat with three legs. In her youth she had acted in a series of bad […]

Games to play with an untrained dog Playing with your dog is a great way to build a bond, stimulate his mind and keep him out of mischief. Unfortunately, most games involve the dog requiring a bit of training – which discourages owners from teaching their pets the game. Here are 3 games you can […]

“Dogs are programmed to be opportunistic feeders, but when the instinct causes the dog to steal food at home, the behaviour can be embarrassing.” – By Shirin Merchant Julie loved food. So much that she would resort to stealing it. Her owners, the Sampats had to lock their kitchen door every night to keep her […]

“Socialising your pup at the correct age can help it to grow into a happy, confident adult dog.” – By Shirin Merchant Romila thought she was the perfect puppy owner. She had brought up her six month old Golden Retriever –Tango with plenty of love, discipline and protected him from all that could harm him. […]

“Dogs help corporate employees in India rekindle their joy in work and life” “I am petrified of dogs,” the young girl declared, grimacing at the sight of six friendly dogs playfully wagging their tails. “I will have nothing to do with them,” she added emphatically before settling herself into a far corner watching the proceedings […]

Plants that are poisonous for dogs 1. Castor Bean Poisonous part: the entire plant, but the seeds, especially are very toxic. Clinical signs: The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning […]

Embarrassing Habits of dogs, you’ve been too ashamed to ask anyone about Our relationship with our dogs goes back to over a million years. Yet when it comes to understanding our canines’ crazy quirks, we are often left stumped. With all the love and joy dogs bring us, they also manage to baffle us with […]

“PUPPY PROOFING THE HOME” – By Shirin Merchant Aargh! That puppy’s at it again! It’s been only a month since the adorable animal stepped into your home. But within weeks, that cute fur ball has turned into a not so cute demolition army that has singly gone about destroying your home. As you look around […]

“Want a happy, healthy, long life? Then get yourself a dog!” Our ancestors probably knew little about the health benefits of canines when they opened their homes and hearts to these loving creatures. However, new research has proved that owning a dog can not only make you a happier person, it can also keep you […]

Most dogs jump up on people because they are happy to see them. It’s their way of showing affection and receiving attention. No! Get down! Stop jumping… I’m so sorry… he doesn’t mean any harm… I said stop it! ROVER! Sounds familiar? Is your dog one of the many that loves to greet guests by […]

Slim down your stout pet. – by Shirin Merchant Sliver’s* (names have been changed to protect owner and dog privacy) day starts at six in the morning with three slices of buttered bread. Through the day the dog happily consumes a breakfast of porridge with full fat milk, lunch consisting of five chapattis, three cupfuls […]

A wee little problem Bessie, at eight months, was the perfect lady. A dainty Dachshund, she was elegant, well mannered and gentle natured. But she had one embarrassing problem… Bessie would urinate all over herself every time she met a man! Her owner was disturbed by this plebeian behaviour. Why was Bessie doing this? Was […]

“5 FUN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR PUPPY” – By Shirin Merchant Puppies are simple souls and small things in life can make them happy. Here are five effortless ideas that will help put a wag in your pup’s tail. Go for a beach picnic Puppies absolutely love gambolling in the sand, sniffing the wet […]

We all enjoy watching a good movie, and there’s nothing better for a dog lover than to curl up with a bag of popcorn with your dog by your side and view a film featuring an enigmatic canine. In this, our special feature we take a look at 15 of the best loved dog films […]

Timing, timing, timing A good dog trainer understands that dogs have a two second ‘association period’ within which they associate an act to a reward or a punishment – if you reward a dog after the two seconds, it just won’t connect the reward with the act. Now considering that you only have two seconds […]

– By Dr. Sangita Vengsarker-Shah There are two great tragedies in a vet’s life. One is, knowing that even if you really love animals, that feeling is very often not going to be reciprocated (after all, if you were an animal, would you like somebody who prodded and poked you whenever you met him?). The […]

Understanding and surviving your dog’s adolescence “Simba was one of the most well-behaved pups you could meet,” says his owner Mrs. Kanga.“ He was eager to please, gentle and very loving.” Then one fine day, Simba refused to come when called and trotted off in the opposite direction with a gleam in his eye. He […]

“Everything you need to welcome your new puppy home” – By Shirin Merchant Bringing home a new puppy can be one of the most exciting things in life. Puppies bring cheer, love and warmth into a home. But pups can also be a handful, especially in the first few days when the pup is settling […]

“Helping a child get over the loss of a dog” – By Dr. Zirak Marker Losing one’s pet is like suffering the loss of a family member or even worse. Years of unconditional love and joy and happiness that they bring us is suddenly no more. How do we deal with children who experience this […]

“CHOOSING THE BEST DOG TRAINER” – By Shirin Merchant Deciding to provide your pet with training often requires more than a brief look through the yellow pages. Every year unscrupulous people calling themselves behaviourists, animal consultants, pet advisers and trainers are fleecing thousands of dog owners throughout the world. There are a number of genuine […]

Minor symptoms like bad breath or smelly discharge may not be so minor after all. They could indicate the onset of a serious ailment. To keep your pet healthy, learn how to detect these tiny warnings. By Dr. Sangita Vengsarker Shah Just as diagnosing an illness is the vet’s job, detecting signs of any ailment […]

Vacation time is over; will your dog miss you when you’re away at school? Another school year has started and as you pack your bags and prepare for tests, tuitions and homework give a thought to your doggy. After a summer of being spoiled with attention, he will miss you when you’re away at school. […]