Ryan Rauch

The term ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, and it is one (of many) things humans and dogs share. And just like humans, ACL tears are some of the most common types of orthopedic injuries that happen to dogs. Ligaments act like rubber bands that connect the bones in our bodies and help to stabilize our legs when we walk, run, change direction or even stand up or sit down. With the right amount of pressure, ligaments can tear. One of the most serious and common tears occurs in the knees, which is where the ACL is located. ACL tears in dogs are extremely painful, and if they are not treated correctly, can permanently affect your dog’s ability to run or even walk…

Some dogs chase their tails. The image of a dog spinning like a little tornado has been shown on TV, in movies and is about as normal of a phenomenon as leaves regaining their spring color or cars buzzing down a busy street…

Introducing dogs to each other can be tricky. Some dogs have aggressive tendencies that might not come out around you or other people, but in the presence of the right dog, they will attack or bite on instinct. The good news is that there are ways you can safely introduce dogs to each other to limit aggression and make sure you control the situation so that nobody gets hurt…

When people think about animal cruelty, their minds usually start with an image of a dog chained up outside in the cold without any food, or some dog fighting ring where pit bulls are raised to attack one another viciously. However, there are millions of animals being abused by people who don’t intend to do the wrong thing. What can you do to help an animal in need?

My wife and I have a dog, and I know the last thing in the world she wants to think about is our pup ever getting cancer. The thought of cancer can be so upsetiing to us that we can blind ourselves and look the other way when it comes to our dogs’ health. Sometimes the warning signs are obvious like large growths on the outside of their bodies. Other times, cancers can show up in unexpected ways. Read more to learn some of the warning signs of cancer in dogs…

With humans, we know the signs of being overweight – low energy, shortness of breath, and that big belly that we can’t always hide behind a couple of layers of cotton. But with dogs, determining if there is a weight issue isn’t always easy. Maybe it’s a breed thing and they’re supposed to look that way, or maybe they’re just getting older and this is what happens. Find out if your dog is overweight and how you can help them shed their extra pounds…

No two dogs are alike. Likewise, no two dog breeds are alike, especially when it comes to their health. Dog health problems range from infections to cancers, and it’s up to the pet parents to keep their companions happy and healthy by understanding some common dog illnesses and diseases…

You’ve heard the expression “to wear one’s heart on their sleeve.” It means that someone lets their emotions be known without actually having to tell anybody how they feel. Dogs are in a constant state of wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Dogs are great because of how simple they can be. They have a very instinctual language and as we learn to recognize how they communicate we begin to better understand what our furry friend is telling us through dog body language…

Some breeds do better at understanding one owner, and other breeds understand the entire family and will protect each member as though it were one of its own. We have researched and ranked the ten best guard dogs for families..