Dog Care
Dog is man’s best friend, we’ve been told. “My dog is a member of the family,” we tell each other. Yet the book “The Truth about Dogs” points out another side of our canine friends: dogs steal the food off our plates, take the best spot on the couch, and routinely destroy our property. Just who is this dog creature, anyway? Perhaps only you, in partnership with your dog, can determine that. But this guide can surely help you find the Web’s best resources for care of this mysteriously lovable pet.
Expand All Guide SectionsDog Ownership
Adding a dog to your family is a big step—and a bigger commitment than most people realize. ... read more »
Choosing a Dog
Once you’ve determined you’re ready for a dog, the fun part comes: what kind of pooch ... read more »
Caring for a Dog
There’s a lot that goes into the day-to-day care of a dog, like establishing a daily routine ... read more »
Dog Health Information
Armed with the right resources, there’s a lot you can do to help keep your dog healthy. ... read more »
Buying Dog Supplies Online
Whether you want to save money on flea medication or dog food, find a snazzy dog sweater, or buy a ... read more »
For the Traveling Dog Owner
If you’re of the “have dog, will travel” mindset, you’re in luck: the Internet is teeming with information on pet-friendly accommodations, airline guidelines, and travel advice so that you and your dog can travel together in style. And if your pooch is more of a homebody, never fear: we’ve also rounded up some great Web sites that can help you find reliable, trustworthy lodgings that specialize in making dogs feel right at home. The Wald-Arf Astoria, anyone?
Dulcinea's Insight
- Especially in the summer months, dogs are at risk of dehydration, which can lead to heatstroke. If you don’t want to lug your dog’s water bowl with you everywhere, there are lots of lightweight travel bowls to choose from. Use a site like NexTag to find one that meets your needs.
- For a look at how individual airlines have performed in handling pets onboard, take a look at “Animal Airline Incident Reports,” based on reports filed by U.S. airlines since May 2005. Any incident involving a pet on a U.S. airline must be reported here, making this a reliable place to see trends.
- The best approach to finding a boarding kennel is to gather recommendations from people you trust: your vet, and friends or family members who have experience with the facility or provider. The American Boarding Kennels Association can be of some help, but information from locals will probably be more extensive and reliable when it comes to services in your area.
- If you need to purchase a pet carrier or crate, consult PetTravel.com, listed in the “Where do I shop online for my dog?” section of this guide. There you’ll also find airline requirements for pet carriers and crates.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general travel advice …
The American Veterinary Medical Association
offers excellent planning and preparation tips for travel by air or car with your dog.
PetTravel.com
has lots of information on traveling with your dog by air, train, or car. If you’re planning overseas travel, carefully review the “Pet Passport, Immigration and Quarantine Info” page for important things you’ll need to know about travel to more than 100 countries.
When traveling by car with your dog …
ThePetCenter.com’s
“How To Travel Safely With A Dog” gets you and your pooch prepared for the road. Use the linked headings at the top to skip to topics of interest, such as “Motion Sickness,” “Food and Water,” or “Rest Areas.”
When you need to fly with your dog …
The Humane Society of the United States
provides a summary of the pet travel policies of many of America’s airlines. Links are supplied to the airlines so you can easily check to see whether requirements have changed since the society compiled its information.
For dog-friendly lodgings …
DogFriendly.com
should be your first stop when planning a trip with your canine. The site has an extensive list of hotels, RV parks and campgrounds, beaches, and even restaurants that welcome dogs, as well as a valuable list of U.S. and Canadian public transportation systems that allow dogs, including light rail, buses, ferries, and trains.
BringFido.com
has a huge variety of dog-friendly hotels—more than 10,000 throughout all 50 states—that rivals that of any people-friendly hotel Web site. Choose your destination state on the clickable map to get a list of cities with hotels that welcome dogs. Each hotel comes with a profile, photos, pet policies, a map, and, in some cases, traveler reviews. Check room availability and even make reservations from this site.
For boarding your dog …
The American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA)
provides accreditation to kennels and day care centers that meet the association’s standards. Here it offers a long document about what to look for in a kennel and how to guarantee a comfortable, stress-free stay for your dog. There’s also a pet services locator that searches for accredited kennels and day care centers.
The Dog Owner’s Guide
knows how difficult it is to leave your dog behind when you go on vacation. The site provides a thorough introduction to the different types of kennels, things to look for in a kennel and its staff, and ways to prepare your dog for the kennel environment.
PetSmart PetsHotels
are ABKA accredited, generally well reviewed by customers, and reputedly very clean; in addition, each “hotel” has a vet on 24-hour call. PetsHotel provides grooming, training, play, and day care services at indoor facilities that many owners will find more welcoming (if more expensive) than the traditional chain-link-fence-encircled kennels.
Who knew?
Wired
magazine takes a humorous peek at a luxury $85-a-night canine hotel in San Francisco.
Dog News, Blogs, and Forums
The Web is overflowing with magazines, blogs, and communities devoted to all things canine. ... read more »
Connect With Dog Owners
If your canine companion isn’t really a dog park kind of guy and you’re just not ... read more »
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