When it comes to pet dental care, two Kansas State University veterinarians hope that owners remember an important message: Prevention is always better and often cheaper than treatment.

"Although prevention may be more effort for the owners, it has the best end result for their pets and often their pocketbook," said Marjory Artzer, a clinical assistant professor at the K-State Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital.

By the age of 3, about 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats already have established periodontal disease, said Jennifer Akers, a clinical assistant professor at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital. Akers said preventative measures are key to identifying and stopping disease before it gets too bad.

"Positive reinforcement training is a holistic approach that affects the emotional and physical well-being of dogs," explained Janet Oquendo, owner of Pawz for Health. "People associate well-being with nutrition and exercise but emotional well-being complements physical well-being. If a dog's mind isn't at peace, the whole body breaks down eventually."

Oquendo has been training dogs for more than 10 years and officially started her own dog training business in 2010. She acquired her skills under some of the area's leading dog trainers and animal behaviorists, mentoring under Debbie Winkler, IAABC, CPDT-KA and receiving further education from behavior veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar, founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She also trained closely with Dawn Sylvia-Staswiewicz, trainer to President Obama's dog, "Bo." Now Oquendo provides in-home training services to clients ranging as far as Pennsylvania to the Washington DC.

Have you heard of doggie daycare? That's right—daycare isn't just for your children any more. Many dog kennels offer comprehensive care for your pet during the day when you are at work, or as part of boarding your dog when you take a vacation. Today's dog boarding experience has added many services and amenities. If you are a new pet owner, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn all the boarding options available. In addition to doggie daycare, dog kennels offer amenities such as live webcams so you can see your dog via a computer, full grooming services, televisions for your pets and more.

An age old problem - you love your pets but you also love a clean, fresh smelling home. Don't we all! One of the big worries many dog owners have is the fear of 'dog smell' in the home. After a while you, as the home owner, start to worry that whilst you can't necessarily smell anything after getting used to the smells that are familiar to you, perhaps your visitors might! Shock horror.

So here's our little tip sheet on how to remove pet odours from the home.

Do Dogs Have Emotions?

Trying to determine if your dog is experiencing anger, love, or any other "human" emotion is difficult. To date, no one has been able to provide convincing scientific evidence that we can distinguish one emotion from another by what our brains or hormones do. We obviously feel differently when we're in a loving versus an angry mood; however, what our brain does to influence us to feel those very different emotions is less clear.

Do you want to find out how sociable and outgoing your puppy is? Then try this little experiment:

Put a few toys down in the room. Quickly walk away from your puppy and then observe his reaction:

*A positive response would be the puppy running happily after you, regardless of what else might be occurring.

Dogs & Drugs: Why Sedatives & Tranquilizers May Put Your Dog To Sleep... Forever!

As far as I know, pets aren't smoking or drinking......not yet, anyways. But I hear they're becoming regular pill-poppers! What???

A recent report from Colorado State University noted that drug abuse among pets is becoming a serious problem. We know how dog owners tend to select pets which look like them. Now, apparently, they're trying to get their pets to act like them.

Yesterday on the site, we published a handy, short how to guide on how to teach your puppy not to nip.

Today we'd like to present a list of useful web articles and resources to compliment that tip sheet and further assist you if you are in the process of trying to deal with a nippy puppy.

A bloody, flesh-torn mixed Retriever female was standing alongside a busy intersection. Cars racing by on a crowded Monday morning, commuters trying to get to work on time, all seeing the poor maimed dog but too late for work to stop and do anything about it.

With four puppies waiting for this mommy Retriever to find food and come back to the hole underneath the overpass to nurse them, time had run out. It's been three days since she had left and due to her injury by a hit-and-run vehicle, she will not be returning.

Obedient pets are a pride to any pet owner. Puppy training for biting is essential for both the dog and its owner as it may help prevent serious injuries. Nipping, biting and “mouthing” are natural to all canines especially when young puppies begin to grow teeth. However, this habit must be carefully contained with the owner's intervention so that the puppy understands when it is all right to bite and when it is not. Puppy training for biting has to start at a very young age. The process must be slow and conducted with a lot of patience. Even though there is now a lot of information about dogs online, being able to nip a problem in the bud by following a few simple tips can potentially save a dog from being given up to a rescue shelter (or worse).