Tara Maurer

Tara is a writer and content creator for Canine Journal, specializing in health and nutrition. She has 8+ years of experience in the wellness industry, where she has worked with countless dog parents on holistic approaches to healing and aging. Tara holds a B.A. in Multimedia Journalism from Simpson College and is also an AFPA-certified holistic nutritionist. She currently lives with a very good boy named Rio, a Golden Retriever, and “the girls” Luna and Lucy, his feline siblings.

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Blue Heeler vs Australian Cattle Dog: What’s The Difference?

Is there a difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Blue Heeler? Yes and no. They are the same…

Food

4 weeks ago

Can Dogs Eat Cabbage? Learn About This Silent Killer (Of Fresh Air)

Can dogs eat cabbage? Veterinarian Dr. Holly Anne Hills takes a closer look at the benefits of cabbage for dogs.…

Food

4 weeks ago

Most English Bulldogs Are Overfed — Here’s Exactly How Much To Feed Yours

Are you hoping to learn more about how much to feed your English Bulldog puppy? Fear not, we have everything…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

25 Flat-Faced Dogs That Look Like Nature Hit “Compress”

Brachycephalic dog breeds are ones with flat faces and other associated respiratory abnormalities. They are super cute but are sometimes…

Food

4 weeks ago

How Much Should A Chihuahua Eat? (Bookmark This Feeding Chart)

Are you the proud pet parent of an adorable Chihuahua? Learning what and how much to feed these sweet pups…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

How Long Do French Bulldogs Really Live? The Answer Isn’t Simple

Are you wondering about the French Bulldog's lifespan and how long they live? It's important to know that not every…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

12 Dogs That Look Like Coyotes (And Might Make People Do A Double Take)

Are you seeking a touch of the wild in your home? Maybe you've always dreamed of owning a coyote, but…

Food

4 weeks ago

How Much Should A French Bulldog Eat? (Bookmark This Feeding Chart)

French Bulldogs are a popular and adorable breed. They need a lot of care and top-quality nutrition throughout their lives.…

Care

4 weeks ago

Puppy Teething Survival Guide: What’s Normal, What’s Not & What Actually Helps

That relentless chewing? It’s not bad behavior. It’s biology. As a veterinarian, I’ve seen just how intense the teething phase…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

Hunting Dog Breeds: Choosing The Right Dog For Your Game, Terrain & Style

The best hunting dog isn’t the most famous breed. It’s the one that matches your quarry, your terrain, and your…

Care

4 weeks ago

Huffing, Puffing & Panting: What’s Behind Your Dog’s Heavy Breathing?

Is your dog having trouble breathing? Or maybe he's panting more than usual? Veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan helps you understand why…

Grooming

4 weeks ago

Want A Low-Shedding Dog? Here’s How Poodles Deliver (And Why Doodles Don’t Always Shed Less)

Are you thinking of getting a Poodle puppy from a breeder or adopting one from a shelter? You will want…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Bernedoodle vs Sheepadoodle: Which Doodle Actually Fits Your Life?

Bernedoodles and Sheepadoodles may look similar, but daily life with them can feel completely different. One tends to be calmer…

Mixed Breeds

4 weeks ago

33 Pug Mixes: From Beloved Designer Dogs To Happy Accidents

Ever heard of a Frug? They're a French Bulldog × Pug, and they look like they snore through job interviews.…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

English Mastiff vs Neapolitan Mastiff: Which Giant Guardian Fits Your Life Better?

English Mastiffs and Neapolitan Mastiffs are both massive, loyal guardian breeds, but living with them feels very different day to…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

When Your Dog Poops & Stares At You… Here’s What It Means

Have you ever glanced over at your sweet pup while on a walk, only to discover they are mid-squatting and…

Care

4 weeks ago

Butt Ballet: Why Your Dog Is Pirouetting Across The Carpet (and How To Stop The Scooting)

From blocked anal glands to itchy skin, there are many reasons your dog might be performing a full-on butt ballet…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Is My Dog Licking The Floor? It’s Not Always About The Crumbs

An occasional lick may mean your dog found a missed crumb. Sudden, frequent, or frantic floor licking can point to…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Dog Sneezing Like Crazy? 8 Reasons Behind That Achoo Attack

Trying to figure out why your dog is sneezing all the time? There's actually a number of different reasons this…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Digging? 7 Reasons & How To Stop It

When your dog suddenly digs up the yard, look at where, when, and why it happens. These clues can reveal…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Is Your Dog Mouthing Or Biting? Here’s How To Tell

Why does your dog keep mouthing you, and when does it cross the line from playful to problematic? We explain…

Care

4 weeks ago

Dog Teeth Cleaning: What Actually Matters (And What Most Owners Skip)

Does your dog hate getting their teeth brushed? Check out these 10 different DIY alternatives to using a toothbrush to…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Do Dogs Howl? 7 Reasons Your Dog Has Joined The Choir

Wondering why do dogs howl at sirens? Does your dog howl every time an ambulance or emergency vehicle rolls by?…

Care

4 weeks ago

Do Labs Shed? Why Labrador Coat Blowout Season Feels So Intense (And What To Do)

Do Labs shed? Oh, only constantly. If you’ve got a Labrador, you’ve got fur on your floors, clothes, pillows, and…

Grooming

4 weeks ago

How To Reduce Dog Shedding Without Going Fur-Crazy

You love your dog. But the tumbleweeds of fur under your couch? Not so much. If you're finding hair on…

Care

4 weeks ago

Why Is My Dog Acting Like a Nervous Teen? 8 Reasons They’re Chewing Their Nails

When dogs start biting their nails it can cause owners to be concerned. Is this behavior normal? Why do dogs…

Mixed Breeds

4 weeks ago

20 Rottweiler Mixes That Are Anything But Basic

Are you thinking of adopting a Rottweiler mix, but aren't sure which one is a perfect fit? Or are you…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Lhasa Apso vs. Shih Tzu: Which Tiny Dog Is Right For You?

Have you settled on adopting a small dog, but can't decide between the Lhasa Apso or the Shih Tzu? Both…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Pomeranian vs Chihuahua: Which Tiny Dog Is Right For You?

Both the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua are pint-sized pooches with tremendous personalities! They are well-known for being charming and friendly,…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

French Bulldog vs English Bulldog: Tiny Clown Or Classic Couch Potato?

Are you thinking of adopting a bulldog but can't decide between the French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog? They both have…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Maltese Or Maltipoo? Tiny Dog, Big Decision

Are you curious about the Maltese vs. the Maltipoo? In this article, we review the attributes that make them similar…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Siberian Husky vs Alaskan Malamute: Which Arctic Dog Fits Your Life?

Are you trying to decide between the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky for your next pup? These two stunning…

Breed Comparisons

4 weeks ago

Doberman Pinscher vs Rottweiler: Your Guide To The Best Breed For “Scary Dog Privilege”

Are you thinking about a Doberman Pinscher or a Rottweiler as a homestead guardian or family protector? Both breeds are…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Think You Know Which Dog Breeds Attack The Most? The Truth May Surprise You

Owning a dog is a wonderful privilege and a huge responsibility. Along with the many positive benefits having a canine…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Dog Scratching Your Floors? 7 Reasons Why & How To Stop It

Dogs scratching at the floor is a common behavior. Pet owners often see their pups digging outside, pawing at the…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Does My Dog Lick Me? What They’re Really Trying to Say

Does your best furry friend shower you with her slobbery tongue all the time? If so, you may wonder, why…

Conditions

4 weeks ago

Acid Reflux In Dogs: Is It GERD Or Something Worse?

Acid reflux is the name used to describe the leaking or rising of stomach acid into the food pipe (esophagus)…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Dogs Go Straight For The Crotch: The Science Behind The Sniff

If dogs ran the world, privacy wouldn’t exist. No secret would be safe—not your emotions, not your medical history, and…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Do Dogs Sleep On Their Backs? What It Really Means (And When To Worry)

Ever catch your dog passed out on their back, legs splayed like roadkill, tongue flopped out like they just ran…

Health

4 weeks ago

Too Much Of A Good Thing: How Water Intoxication Happens In Dogs

It was back in 700BC that a greek poet said “Moderation is best in all things”… and though it might…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Your Dog Growled At You. Here’s Why That Might Be A Good Thing

A dog growling can stop a moment cold. At my house, it starts the second someone knocks. Daisy, my 85-pound…

Behavior

4 weeks ago

Why Is My Dog Eating Wood? When Chewing Sticks Becomes Dangerous

Dogs chew on wood because they like chewing on things. That's why you see dogs play with chew toys, and…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

How Intelligent Are Dogs, Really? The Truth About Canine Smarts — And Which Type Fits Your Lifestyle

When people search for the most intelligent dogs, they often expect a simple ranking. But intelligence in dogs isn’t just…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

How Smart Is Your Dog? 10 Breeds That Outsmart The Rest

What makes dogs smart? Is it their ability to learn new tricks, or how well they obey commands? However you…

Food

4 weeks ago

Foods That Could Kill Your Dog (And the Ones That Just Wreck Their Stomach)

Dogs are inquisitive animals and are scavengers by nature. Given an opportunity, they try eating most things, edible or not.…

Breeds

4 weeks ago

Non‑Shedding Dogs: 33 Breeds That Won’t Leave Fur Everywhere

Are you tired of wearing your dog’s fur like a second sweater or serving it as seasoning for your dinner?…

Food

4 weeks ago

Cakes For Dogs: Easy Recipes Your Pup Will Drool Over

Pets have crossed the line from the animal world into the human world. It is not uncommon for people to…

Conditions

4 weeks ago

The Sad Truth About Dog Depression (And How To Bring Back The Wag)

Depression is a common disorder in people. But what about our furry friends? Most pet parents instinctively know that their…

Conditions

4 weeks ago

Dog Seasonal Allergies: What To Do When Your Dog Won’t Stop Scratching

People often wonder, “Can dogs have seasonal allergies?” The answer is yes; they can. Ranging from mild to quite serious,…

Household

4 weeks ago

Your Dog vs Your Garden: Why This Fight Keeps Happening (And How To Finally Win)

The needs of your pets and the needs of your garden can sometimes clash. Many elements of gardens can be…