I have been a βdog mamaβ to my Black Labrador Holly for over 10 years now. She has travelled with me all over our home state of California, often on very long roadtrips from Northern California to Southern California.
Holly was a rescue adopted from the Humane Society when she was about one year old. She has always had a sweet disposition and is loving towards people, but sheβs also had very severe anxiety from past trauma. I never knew what her history was before I adopted her, but she clearly suffered in the hands of her previous owner.
Hollyβs anxiety can especially get triggered when she knows thereβs an upcoming trip. The moment she sees my suitcase come out of the closet, she begins to pace around nervously and follows me everywhere I go in the house. Sheβs either worried that Iβm leaving on a trip without her, or sheβs nervous to be taken on a roadtrip to a new place. Either way, traveling puts her on edge.
I have worked with several dog trainers over the years to help Holly with her anxiety. This blog post has been several years in the making, as Iβve complied many of my learnings, personal experiences and professional advice from trainers into one guide. I hope all dog owners with pups suffering from anxiety can use these tips to find relief for their fur babies.
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Getting a new puppy is one of the most exciting things youβll ever experience as a pet owner. After all, nothing beats finally getting to pick up your pup and bring them home for the very first time. My family has owned dogs my entire life, and we've welcomed many puppies into our homes. The adorable puppy you see in this blog is Mia, my parent's newest fur baby.
Because puppies are essentially babies, you need to make sufficient preparations to help your pup get acclimated to their new home. To help you give them a warm welcome, this guide has a few tips on how to best spend the first 48 hours with your new pup.
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Half Moon bay is the perfect weekend warrior destination, especially if youβre planning dog-friendly travel. There are many outdoor spaces where your furry babies are allowed to accompany you. Also thereβs a good selection of eating establishments that are willing to accommodate dogs.
The recommended spots in this guide are just a quick drive from San Francisco or San Jose area, about an hour away from either city. You can opt for a day trip or an over-night stay, Iβve got a list of hotels that are pet-friendly.
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Iβve had many dogs in my life since my childhood, and each one holds a special place in my heart. With each dog came new challenges on how to keep a clean home, they all have their own personalities and messy habits. This blog post is filled with all the learnings from my experiences and can help anyone smooth out the process of bringing a new furry family member home.
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Thereβs often a misconception that adopted dogs are not suitable for a household with small children. The truth of the matter is that it takes effort and precautions brining a new dog into a family, adopted or not. Itβs true that some adopted dogs come with behavioral issues, but thereβs no guarantee that a purebred dog wonβt have similar challenges. Below Iβve outlined the steps Iβve taken for introducing my rescue Black Labrador Holly to our baby daughter Scout.
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