How Can We Assess When It Might Be Time?
By Don Hanson In September, I discussed my dog Muppy’s cancer diagnosis and my anticipatory grief. Today, there is less sunshine in our lives. My wife, Paula, and I helped our dog Muppy cross the Rainbow Bridge on Tuesday, March 24th, after she courageously battled kidney disease and bladder cancer since June of 2025. I believe sharing our story can help others facing similar journeys with their dogs. I hope my experience makes your path a little easier. Daily Assessment Questions Within days of Muppy’s diagnosis, I developed a list… Continued
Book Review – Beyond Belly Rubs: The Compassionate Pet Guardian by Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell
by Don Hanson If you include a cat, dog, or horse as a family member, you and everyone who helps care for your companion animal will benefit from reading Beyond Belly Rubs: The Compassionate Pet Guardian, How to Truly Connect with Kindness & Love – Your Guide to A Lifelong Bond by Niki Tudge and Louise Stapleton-Frappell. More Than Words This book is not about training your precious pets; it is about something even more important: living a full, mutually beneficial, harmonious life with them. With our pets as family… Continued
Help Pets Avoid These Common Hazards
by Don Hanson Tobacco & Nicotine Although not found in every home, tobacco and tobacco cessation products that contain nicotine can, sadly, be commonly found in the environment. The nicotine in tobacco and smoking cessation products can kill a pet. Nicotine is a psychoactive and highly addictive substance found naturally in tobacco. Tobacco products are a nicotine delivery system. These products include cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Since the advent of e-cigarettes and vape pens, humans can now ingest nicotine without ingesting tobacco. Additionally, most smoking cessation… Continued
Is ‘Pet Parent’ Appropriate?
by Don Hanson How we describe our relationship with our dogs matters because, consciously or subconsciously, it affects how we treat them. So, is ‘pet parent’ an appropriate description of our role in our dogs’ lives? While some pet care professionals and other people cringe at the term, I believe it is an accurate description, demonstrating that our dogs are part of our family. While in the US, the law usually tells us our dogs are nothing more than property (like the sofa in your living room), the term “pet… Continued
How to Minimize Stress for You and Your Dog
We know our dogs can have a bond with us, and that means when we’re feeling down, it can negatively impact them. Likewise, our being happy can bring great joy to our dogs. This article offers some stress-reduction suggestions for dogs and their caretakers. I recently wrote about my dog Muppy being diagnosed with bladder cancer and how I believe it is essential for me to maintain a positive outlook so as to help her maintain her current joy of life. Having a positive attitude can greatly benefit our health… Continued
During Stressful Times with Pets, Finding Joy Matters
On Friday, June 21, I took my dog Muppy to see her veterinarian for a suspected urinary tract infection that was not improving. Other than that, she was in fantastic health for being almost 14 years old, running and leaping like a 5-year-old, always smiling and wagging her tail. After an examination and some lab work, Muppy’s veterinarian explained that an ultrasound revealed a small growth in her bladder, and an analysis of her urine revealed cells that indicated Muppy most likely has bladder cancer. That diagnosis has recently been… Continued
Pet Safety Alert: Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally found in most freshwater bodies in the United States. When it rapidly accumulates or “blooms,” it can release neurotoxins and liver toxins that, if ingested, can cause extreme illness and even death. Blue-green algae are most likely to appear in freshwater when the water temperature is above 75°F. The toxins may concentrate near shorelines where animals might drink or swim. Even a small amount of these substances can lead to death in a few hours for a small animal like a dog.… Continued
Make Every Walk with Your Dog Fun for Both of You!
Walking the dog. Wikipedia describes dog walking as “…the act of a person walking with a dog, typically from the dog’s residence and then returning.” Sadly, the definition suggests nothing about the walk being enjoyable or, better yet, fun for the dog. Some people might view walking the dog as an obligation to ensure dogs get physical exercise, which entails walking around the block or some other regular course, at an unvarying pace, with the dog in a perfect heel position. That’s not the type of walk where your dog… Continued
Ensuring Your Dog’s Mental Health & Well-Being
It’s that time of year for various walks to benefit one nonprofit cause or another. Several of you will undoubtedly participate, running or walking and doing your part to help others. Thank you! Some of you with dogs will even bring your dogs to this mass gathering of humanity and semi-organized chaos. Based on my many years of experience at these events, many of your dogs will proclaim in various ways, “Why didn’t you let me stay home?!” Does Your Dog Enjoy Public Events…? …Or would they rather stay home?… Continued
What to Look for in a Pet Care Professional–Part 2: Knowledge, Skills, Competence, and Credentials
In What To Look For In A Pet Care Professional–Part 1, I discussed the importance of carefully reviewing the ethics policies of any pet care professional before entrusting your pet to their care. Here, I’ll discuss the importance of pet care professionals acquiring knowledge and skills and demonstrating competency through independent accreditation bodies. Lastly, I’ll address the importance of continuing education. Acquisition of Knowledge People might become pet care professionals because they have a passion for animals. However, living with them as pets, or breeding them, is unlikely to provide… Continued
What to Look for in a Pet Care Professional–Part 1
This post is the first in a series of articles designed to assist pet care consumers with selecting an appropriate professional to care for and help them with their pets. In this article, I will answer the question, “What is a professional?” I will also discuss the importance of working under a Code of Technical and Ethical Standards developed by acknowledged experts in pet care. What is a Professional? Almost all professions follow the attributes listed under the heading “A Professional Will:” Many different professionals work in pet care. They… Continued
What Role Does Your Dog Play in Your Life?
Last summer, I read a market research report that reported that 76% of people in the US with pets strongly agree that pets are part of the family and that 17% agree that pets are family members. That is a total of 93%, which is something to be excited about as it suggests that most of us who share our lives with pets believe they should be treated as family. I am now in my 30th year as a pet care professional and feel fortunate to have entered this career… Continued
A Professional Dog Trainer Does So Much More Than Train Dogs
I became a pet care professional in the fall of 1995 when my wife and I became the new owners of Green Acres Kennel Shop. I am fortunate to have entered the profession then because of the many advances in our knowledge of pet behavior, training, and nutrition. Obedience Class Disaster In the Spring of 1991, my wife Paula and I brought home our first puppy as a couple, a cairn terrier we named Gus. We wanted to do everything right, so we immediately enrolled ourselves and twelve-week-old Gus in… Continued
Book Review: The Forever Dog by Rodney Habib and Karen Shaw Becker
by Don Hanson When most of us add a pet as a valued family member, it is with a desire for that pet to live a healthy, enjoyable, and long life, which is the philosophy behind The Forever Dog. Every pet I’ve had has motivated me to learn everything I can to make that happen. Unfortunately, a lot of harmful information about pet health, wellness, behavior, and nutrition is perpetuated as “wisdom,” when its goal is to give a false sense of security, so pet guardians unknowingly purchase products that shorten their… Continued
Book Review – Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog by Zazie Todd
Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog by Dr. Zazie Todd is an excellent and, in my opinion, essential resource for pet parents or professionals who have or are thinking of bringing a dog who is anxious, fearful, or reactive into their homes. Early in the book, Dr. Todd notes that data indicates, “…up to 72.5 percent of dogs have some kind of fear or anxiety…” I have had four dogs in my life with some level of anxiety, and as a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant… Continued
How Your Dog Can Tell How You’re Feeling
One of the most amazing things about dogs is how well they can read our emotions and know whether we’re happy, sad, anxious, or angry. I believe that many dogs may be able to “read” the people in their family, as well as (or better than) their closest friends can. Your Scent, Body Language, & Tone of Voice The date dogs started living with us is subject to continuing research, but it could be as much as 35,000 years ago. The most logical theory about domestication suggests that dogs domesticated… Continued
Prescription and Veterinary Diets–Are They Medicine? Are They Worth the Added Cost?
by Don Hanson Pet foods sold as “prescription” or “veterinary” diets are typically promoted as treating medical issues like skin allergies, kidney disease, cancer, and more. They usually are much more expensive than regular dog food. For example, an 18.7 lb. bag of one company’s kidney diet sells for $104, while a 15 lb. bag of its regular dog food costs $46, half the price of the “prescription” diet. These alleged medical diets are often sold by veterinarians or outlets that will only sell you the food if you provide… Continued
Eye Drops for Dogs, the Premack Principle, and Stationing on the Stairs
Students often ask me, “When can I stop training my dog.” That’s when I reply, “I never stop training.” By continuing to train, I keep my dog engaged, her life enriched, and my skills sharp. For example, my continued training with Muppy helped me quickly address a new behavioral challenge related to her health. Last spring Muppy was seen by an eye specialist and was prescribed eye drops that she requires every morning. Dr. Blackwood explained that one of the drops might sting and could cause Muppy to be less… Continued
Halloween Tips for People with Pets
Halloween can be very scary for our pets and very dangerous. It is that time of year when many children and even some adults like to dress up in costumes that make them look different and often scary. They may also take on the stilted walk or the pseudo-terrifying vocalizations of the character they portray. Think about Halloween and all the shenanigans it entails from your pet’s perspective. Was your dog ever socialized/habituated to anything remotely like Halloween? Is it likely that they will find groups of people behaving weirdly… Continued
How to Interact with a Dog – Respecting Personal Space
While many people recognize and address the physical health of their pets, the same cannot always be said for their pets’ mental well-being. Sadly, I’m not surprised, as some people fail to recognize the importance of mental health in humans, believing behavioral issues are character flaws rather than symptoms of illness or distress. Behavior problems with pets are on the rise. Often, they occur due to an aspect of a pet’s mental health and emotional well-being. Feeling Safe Every dog, like every person, has a personal space bubble. Each person… Continued
What Is Canine Kennel Cough?
Symptoms & Prevention* Canine cough, or kennel cough, are lay terms for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC). There are many bacteria and viruses which can cause this illness. However, the most prevalent of the bacteria that cause this illness is Bordetella bronchiseptica. This illness involves an inflammation of a dog’s trachea and upper bronchi, similar to bronchitis in a human. The air flowing over the inflamed tissues can be very irritating, which causes the dog to cough. *Editor’s note: This information does not replace the advice or instruction given to… Continued
The Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Grain-Free Pet Food Debacle
Was It Bad Science or Shameless Greed and Fraud? by Don Hanson There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that feeding your dog grain-free or BEG (boutique, exotic ingredient, grain-free) diets puts them at increased risk for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), according to an update on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website (FDA, 2022). This is excellent news! People can now feed their pets a grain-free or BEG diet without fear. However, it is also tragic news, as how this investigation was handled was a travesty. It… Continued
Winter Weather Tips for Pets
by Don Hanson Like people, some pets love the winter snow and cold, and others hate it. Our dog Dulice was not deterred by the snow but found a terrier’s dream as it allowed winter burrowing. My current dog Muppy, a rescue from Mississippi, hated her first seven winters in Maine. However, Muppy enjoys a good roll in the snow today as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 30 F. Our cat Boomer enjoys outdoor journeys on a harness and leash and lying in the summer sun, but when… Continued
Pets, Emotions and Anthropomorphism
by Don Hanson Emotions are complicated and messy. So much so that as a youngster watching Star Trek in the 1960s, I was attracted to the Vulcan ethos of suppressing all emotion and replacing it with logic. However, I eventually learned that without emotion, we are devoid of joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love. But, unfortunately, the price for those positive feelings is negative emotions such as anger, emptiness, frustration, inadequacy, helplessness, fear, guilt, loneliness, depression, feeling overwhelmed, resentment, failure, sadness and jealousy. The fact… Continued
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