Dogs in puppy mills are bred in factory-like, inhumane settings. They have little human interaction and run the risk of developing significant behavioral and medical issues. The good news is that more and more people are taking a stand against puppy mills, though the U.S. still has thousands of licensed and unlicensed puppy mills. So what are some ways to stop puppy mills? Here are some tips that anyone can use to write their legislators and media outlets to spread awareness about the cruelty of puppy mills.

If you have community cats (aka ownerless cats who live outdoors) in your neighborhood, you might have noticed that some or all of these outdoor cats have an ear that is squared off instead of pointy at the tip. These cats have undergone a procedure known as ear-tipping. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about ear-tipping cats.

Some dogs are amazing escape artists — able to squeeze under or jump over fencing that appeared to be secure. If you have such a dog, you might have to go the extra mile to provide a dog-proof fence that will keep your pooch contained and safe. Here are some dog fencing ideas for you to consider.

For dogs to be happy and comfortable in the world of humans, socialization is so important. Many dogs lack basic social skills — either because of limited exposure to various situations or a lack of positive experiences. Dogs who were raised without sufficient experience with new people, places, sounds, and objects often show fear of many commonplace situations, such as meeting new people. To help avoid this, here are some tips for how to socialize a dog.

A dog marking or peeing in the house can happen for a variety of reasons. One way that dogs communicate is through their urine, so they can mark for territorial reasons, as a response to stress or anxiety, or because of hormonal influences in intact males. We see this behavior most often when a dog enters a new environment, a new dog enters the home, or there is a big life change in the home.

Our dogs are members of the family, so most of us enjoy taking them out in public — whether it’s for a walk in the park or shopping at the farmers market. While we might be enthused about bringing them along, we need to consider how our dogs feel about it, as well as how others might feel about our dog’s presence. To that end, here are some tips for taking a dog in public to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved.

You put food on the kitchen counter and turn your back. Moments later, the food has vanished, and your dog is standing next to the counter licking their lips. Has this scenario happened in your house? If so, you have a pooch who’s a counter surfer. Here are some tips to help prevent dog counter surfing and teach your pup to leave items alone.

Dog chewing is a normal canine behavior, especially for puppies who are exploring the world around them and learning how to use their mouths appropriately. Dogs also chew to relieve boredom or stress. However, chewing can become problematic if the dog is chowing down on household items and not on dog-safe chewing materials. Instead of punishing your dog for destructive chewing, try to embrace their chewing instinct by refocusing the dog’s attention to more appropriate objects.

Do you have a dog who hates car rides — or who looks afraid at even the mention of car travel? Maybe your dog refuses to jump in the car, or they shake and pant as you drive. Dog car anxiety isn’t uncommon, but there are some steps you can take to help your dog get over their fear of car rides.

Creating safe, humane communities is a priority for all of us. And efforts to protect community members from dangerous dogs are a key component of any public safety plan. However, dog breed-specific legislation fails to protect public safety, can lead to costly litigation, and might violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).