by OLK9Alex | Jan 27, 2026 | Uncategorized |
On-Leash vs Off-Leash Dog Introductions One of the most common questions dog owners ask is whether dogs should meet on-leash or off-leash. The answer depends on the dogs involved, the environment, and the level of preparation. Each option has benefits and risks, and...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 23, 2026 | Uncategorized
Safe Bathroom Breaks and Walks During Heavy Snow Snowstorms don’t pause your dog’s need for fresh air or bathroom breaks, but heavy snow can make outdoor time more challenging and potentially unsafe. Slippery surfaces, limited visibility, freezing temperatures, and...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 20, 2026 | Uncategorized
Every Walk Is a Training Opportunity (Even If You Don’t Notice) Hi again — it’s me.Your dog. 🐾 You might think training happens during special sessions. The ones with treats, commands, and lots of focus. But I want to let you in on a secret. Some of my most important...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 16, 2026 | Uncategorized
Dog-Friendly Winter Events in the Stamford, CT Area Winter in Stamford, Connecticut offers a beautiful mix of coastal charm, walkable neighborhoods, and dog-friendly spaces that make it easy to stay active with your pup even during the colder months. While snow and...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
The First 3 Months: When Your Rescue Dog Feels at Home Why the First 3 Months Are So Important According to the 3-3-3 rule for dogs, the first three months after adoption mark a major milestone. This is often when a rescue dog truly begins to feel at home. By this...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
My Resolution to Stay Healthy and Active All Year Dear Human, I Want to Feel Good in My Body This year, my New Year’s resolution is about how I feel — not just how I look or how far I can go on walks. When my body feels good, everything feels easier. I’m calmer,...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Play, Enrichment & Shared Joy Play is one of the most powerful tools for building strong relationships with dogs. Beyond physical exercise, play creates emotional connection, strengthens trust, and builds mutual understanding. Through play, dogs learn that being...
by OLK9Alex | Jan 8, 2026 | Uncategorized
Creating Safe Spaces & Boundaries for Dogs and Babies When a baby enters the home, both dogs and humans experience major changes. Dogs may feel overwhelmed by new sounds, movements, and scents, while babies require constant attention and protection. Safe spaces...
by OLK9Alex | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Sunlight & Mood — How Sunshine Boosts Your Dog’s Happiness The Secret Link Between Sunlight and Your Dog’s Happiness Just like humans, dogs are deeply influenced by natural light. A sunny morning nap, a warm spot by the window, or a short afternoon walk can...
by OLK9Alex | Dec 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
Preventing Future Stomach Upsets in Your Dog Preventing Digestive Problems Before They Start An upset stomach can happen to any dog—but with the right habits, routines, and nutrition choices, you can dramatically reduce how often it occurs. Preventing digestive issues...
by OLK9Alex | Dec 3, 2025 | Uncategorized
Carob-Dipped Holiday Cookies for Dogs Chocolate may be a holiday staple for humans, but it’s definitely off-limits for dogs. Luckily, pet parents have a safe, delicious alternative that looks just like chocolate and tastes sweet and earthy: carob. If you want to make...
by OLK9Alex | Dec 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
Stamford, CT Area: December Events for Dogs ❄️ Stamford, CT in December: A Cozy, Festive Haven for Dogs Stamford might be known for its fast-paced downtown and thriving corporate scene, but it also has a warm, community-focused side—especially when it comes to dogs....
by OLK9Alex | Dec 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
Snow Maze Magic: Create a Winter Wonderland for Your Dog When the snow piles high and the world turns white, many dogs can feel a burst of excitement — but deep snow can also leave them wondering where to run or explore. A snow maze is the perfect snow day solution....
by OLK9Alex | Nov 13, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Power of Socialization: Building a Confident Dog When you bring a new dog home, one of the most important investments you can make in their future happiness is socialization. A well-socialized dog is confident, calm, and adaptable — ready to handle whatever life...
by OLK9Alex | Nov 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Power of Touch — Petting, Massage, and Physical Connection Touch is one of the most universal forms of comfort. A simple pat on the head, a reassuring scratch behind the ears, or a gentle rub on the belly can communicate more love than words ever could. For both...
by OLK9Alex | Nov 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
Snow Tracks and Tail Wags The first snow of the year fell quietly over the small town, blanketing the streets and yards in a layer of untouched white. Inside a cozy little house at the corner of Maple Lane, a beagle named Toby sat at the window, nose pressed against...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 29, 2025 | Uncategorized
Friends Who Play Together: The Importance of Social Play for Dogs Some of a dog’s best life lessons happen in play — specifically, play with other dogs. Social play isn’t just fun, it’s how dogs learn proper communication, develop confidence, and practice cooperation....
by OLK9Alex | Oct 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Fall Transitions: Preparing Dogs for Cooler Months Autumn brings colorful leaves, crisp air, and perfect adventure weather for dogs. But it also marks a season of change—less daylight, fluctuating temperatures, and shifting activity levels. As summer fades, preparing...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Power of Supplements: Glucosamine, Omega-3s & More Even with great food, exercise, and care, your dog’s joints take on daily stress—jumping off couches, running across lawns, chasing after balls. Over time, this wear and tear can break down cartilage, leading...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
Weather and Naps: How Seasons Affect Dog Sleep Have you ever noticed your dog sleeping more on rainy days or curling up longer during the winter months? Just like humans, dogs are affected by weather and seasonal changes. The environment plays a significant role in...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Reducing Stress for Both Dog and Owner Training Should Build Calm, Not Conflict Training a dog should be a positive, rewarding experience—not a source of stress. Yet for many owners, miscommunication and inconsistency can lead to frustration, anxiety, and tension—for...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
Hardworking Herders: Cattle & Sheep Dogs Across open pastures, rolling hills, and dusty ranches, you’ll often find a hard-charging blur of fur darting between hooves — focused, precise, and utterly in control. These are the herding dogs, the unsung heroes of...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 13, 2025 | Uncategorized
Emotional Intelligence in Dogs When you’re feeling down, has your dog ever curled up next to you, resting their head on your lap, as if they know exactly how you feel? Or when you’re excited, do they match your energy with tail wags and joyful antics? These moments...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
🍂 Fall Fun with Your Dog in Stamford, CT Stamford, Connecticut, shines in the fall with colorful foliage, cool weather, and plenty of dog-friendly places to explore. Whether you’re strolling through local parks, heading to a dog-friendly café, or taking in the coastal...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Fall Foods That Can Worsen Dog Allergies Autumn brings a bounty of delicious seasonal foods—pumpkin pies, apple crisps, and hearty stews. While we enjoy these treats, many dogs are eager to sample them too. But here’s the catch: some fall foods can actually trigger or...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
Outdoor Hazards Dogs Face in Fall Fall is a favorite season for many—colorful leaves, crisp walks, and cozy outdoor activities. But for dogs, the changing environment can introduce new risks. From hidden dangers in leaf piles to toxic mushrooms and lingering ticks,...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Should You Dress Up Your Dog for Halloween? A Halloween Tradition for Dogs and Humans When October rolls around, Halloween costumes are everywhere—not just for kids and adults, but for pets too. From hot dog outfits to superhero capes, dressing up dogs has become part...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
Winter Exercise and Enrichment for Dogs When winter hits, it can be tempting to hibernate indoors with your pup. While extra snuggles are great, dogs still need physical and mental stimulation, even in freezing temperatures. Lack of exercise can lead to weight gain,...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
Best Food for Puppies Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and joyful experience—but it also comes with the responsibility of giving your pup the best start in life. One of the most important parts of raising a healthy, happy dog is choosing the right food....
by OLK9Alex | Sep 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
Emotional Intelligence in Dogs: Do They Read Our Minds? When you’re sad, does your dog curl up beside you? When you’re excited, does your pup wag their tail and bounce around the room? These moments feel magical—but they’re also proof of something incredible: dogs are...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
Dogs Who Speak Through Touch: Affection in Every Paw and Nose Nudge From curling up beside you on the couch to gently resting a paw on your knee, dogs often use touch as their primary way to say “I love you.” For many pups, physical closeness is the strongest...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Seasonal Adventures for Your Dog’s Bucket List Dogs love routines, but they also thrive on new experiences. One of the best ways to enrich your pup’s life is to embrace the unique adventures each season has to offer. Just as we enjoy summer barbecues, cozy fall walks,...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
Balto: The Hero of the Great Serum Run When the Alaskan town of Nome faced a deadly diphtheria outbreak in 1925, the odds seemed insurmountable. The town was isolated by harsh winter storms, and life-saving medicine was over 600 miles away in Anchorage. With no planes...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
Why Dogs Spin in Circles Before Lying Down The Mysterious Pre-Bedtime Spin Have you ever watched your dog carefully spin in circles before settling down for a nap? While it may look amusing, this behavior has deep roots in canine genetics and instincts. Circling...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
Letting Go Like a Dog: Mindfulness in Release Dogs are masters at moving on. Step on their tail by accident? You’ll get a yelp, maybe a moment of confusion — and then a wag. Drop them off at the vet? The second you return, it’s as if you never left. They don’t stew...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Role of Touch: How Dogs Use Their Skin and Paws Dogs experience the world in vivid and surprising ways. While we often focus on their keen sense of smell or excellent hearing, touch is another powerful and essential part of how dogs interpret and respond to their...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 31, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Problem with ‘Meat By-Products’ in Dog Treats You’ve probably seen the term “meat by-products” on the label of dog treats or food. At first glance, it might sound like extra protein or bonus nutrients—but what exactly does it mean? The answer might surprise (and...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Seaweed for Dogs: A Surprising Source of Vital Nutrients If you’re thinking of seaweed as just sushi wrap or ocean debris, think again! This marine plant is gaining attention as a superfood for dogs—and for good reason. Packed with trace minerals, antioxidants, and...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 28, 2025 | Uncategorized
A Day in the Life of a City Dog in Stamford, CT Waking Up in the Heart of StamfordMeet Luna, a spirited French Bulldog who lives in a pet-friendly apartment building right in downtown Stamford, Connecticut. Her mornings begin early—city life is fast-paced, and Luna...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
Zoomies After Bath Time: What’s That About? That Post-Bath Madness You’ve finished washing your pup—maybe even bribed them with treats just to stay in the tub—and as soon as the towel comes out… BOOM! Your dog explodes into a frenzied sprint through the house, rolling...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Turning Walks into Adventures: Creative Outdoor Activities A walk around the block is great—but it can become repetitive fast. Dogs thrive on new sights, sounds, and smells, and a boring routine walk may not meet their full need for stimulation. The good news? You can...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
Social Skills on a Leash: How Walks Help Dogs Interact The Power of the Daily Walk for Dog Socialization Dogs are naturally social creatures—but just like people, they need practice to develop good social skills. A well-mannered dog around others doesn’t just happen...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Nose Knows: How Dogs Detect Illness and Emotions Dogs aren’t just our best friends—they’re natural-born detectives. With a nose that can sniff out tiny molecular changes, dogs can sense things that are invisible to the human eye, from health problems to our...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Socializing Adult Dogs: It’s Not Too Late Many dog owners assume that if a dog wasn’t properly socialized as a puppy, the opportunity is lost forever. The truth is, while early socialization is ideal, it’s absolutely possible to help adult dogs—whether newly adopted,...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 8, 2025 | Uncategorized
Therapy Animals: Bringing Smiles to Others Unlike service animals or ESAs, therapy animals aren’t there to assist a single person — they’re there to help many. These calm, well-trained pets volunteer alongside their handlers to provide comfort, joy, and connection in...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
Staying Hydrated: Summer Nutrition and Water Tips for Dogs Summer heat doesn’t just make dogs thirsty — it can affect their entire metabolism, from energy levels to appetite. That’s why proper hydration and nutrition are crucial for keeping your pup healthy during the...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Best Dental Chews and Toys: Do They Really Work? If you’ve ever stood in the pet store aisle wondering which dental chew or toy to buy, you’re not alone. There are countless products claiming to clean teeth, freshen breath, and promote gum health — but do they really...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
More Protein = Better Nutrition In the world of dog nutrition, protein reigns supreme—and for good reason. Protein plays a critical role in building and maintaining muscles, producing enzymes, and supporting immune function. But does more protein always mean better...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Role of Tail Wagging in Dog Communication When most people see a dog wagging its tail, they assume it means the dog is happy. But tail wagging is much more complex than just a “happy meter.” It’s a nuanced communication tool that conveys excitement, stress,...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Best Bone Alternatives for Dogs Chewing Without the Worry While bones can be a fun and engaging treat for many dogs, they aren’t always the safest option. The risks of choking, splintering, tooth fractures, and digestive blockages have made many pet parents...
