Children & Dogs: Creating Safe, Positive Relationships at Home

Children & Dogs: Creating Safe, Positive Relationships at Home Dogs and children can form incredible bonds, but those relationships don’t happen automatically. Dogs and kids communicate very differently, and without guidance, misunderstandings can occur. The key to success is supervision, education, and respect—for both the child and the dog. Why This Matters Experts consistently emphasize … Read more

What Experts Say About Crate Training

What Experts Say About Crate Training Veterinary and behavior organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Humane Society of the United States generally agree: 👉 Crate training can be a highly effective and humane tool—when used correctly.👉 Misuse (too much time, punishment, or poor setup) … Read more

Chewing in Dogs & Puppies

Chewing in Dogs & Puppies: What It Means and How to Manage It at Home Chewing is a completely normal behavior for dogs of all ages. It helps puppies grow, keeps adult dogs mentally engaged, and can even relieve stress. However, when chewing is directed at furniture, shoes, or other household items, it quickly becomes … Read more

Marking & Accidents in the Home

Marking & Accidents in the Home: A Guide for New Adopters Dogs and cats are naturally territorial animals. That means they use scent to communicate—claiming spaces, signaling safety, and responding to changes in their environment. Sometimes, that communication shows up as urine marking inside your home. If your new pet is peeing indoors, it doesn’t … Read more

More than just a backyard dog

More than just a backyard dog Bringing a new dog home isn’t just about giving them space—it’s about giving them a place with you. Dogs aren’t wired to live on the sidelines. They’re pack animals, and in your home, you are that pack. The more your dog is included in your daily life, the happier, … Read more

Healing Hearts: The Surprising Health Benefits of Rescuing Animals

Healing Hearts: The Surprising Health Benefits of Rescuing Animals Rescuing animals, whether adopting from shelters or rehabilitating strays, isn’t just an act of kindness—it also offers significant health benefits to those who open their hearts and homes to animals in need. Here’s a look at how this compassionate choice positively impacts your physical, mental, and … Read more

Destructive Chewing

Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved. Destructive Chewing Destructive chewing is a common issue in dogs, but it can often be managed and prevented with consistent training, management, and providing appropriate outlets for your dog’s chewing instincts. Here are some strategies to prevent destructive chewing. 1. … Read more

House Training Your Adult Dog

House Training Your Adult Dog Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved. Many adult dogs adopted from animal shelters were housetrained in their previous homes. While at the shelter, however, they may not have gotten enough opportunities to eliminate outside, and consequently, they may have soiled their … Read more

Recommended Toys

Recommended Toys Active Toys:* Very hard rubber toys, like Nylabone-type products and Kong-type products. These are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and for carrying around. * “Rope” toys that are usually available in a “bone” shape with knotted ends. * Tennis balls make great dog toys, but … Read more