Sarah Whitman

Overview The sound of panting is a familiar sound to anyone who has ever spent a summer afternoon with a dog. It is rhythmic, frequently loud, and typically accompanied by a protruding, long, pink tongue. Dogs have a far more specialized—and vocal—method of controlling their body temperature than humans, who cool themselves by sweating through their skin. But it's not always the weather that causes panting. Sometimes it's a subtle cry for assistance, and other times it's a sign of pure joy....

Overview If you are a dog owner, you probably know this scenario well: You put on a fresh black shirt, bid farewell to your cherished dog, and all of a sudden you appear to be wearing a fur coat. Minutes after vacuuming, tumbleweeds of hair start to roll across the hardwood floor. It's in your coffee, on the couch, and everywhere else. Let's face it, for some breeds, shedding season feels like every season. Welcome to the reality of this season. Before we dive in, let’s set a realistic...

If the dog stops eating, it is an immediate assumption that something is wrong and in many cases, this guess is correct. One of the best indications of a dog’s body and mind is its appetite. A dog does not miss meals because it has an attitude in the way that a human would; it stops because something has changed in its body or world. In other cases, the loss of appetite occurs gradually. Some of the habits that may be shown by a dog that is losing appetite include eating at a slower rate,...