Did you know that the first week of October is National Walk Your Dog Week? Going for a walk with your canine companion is beneficial every day of the year, but this week is a great time to think about how you can make walks with your dog safer and more enjoyable for you both. Proper walking techniques minimize stress, and they make it much easier to get out and enjoy a stroll with your pup. In honor of Walk Your Dog Week, keep reading to discover a few tips for waking your canine companion.

World Animal Day, recognized every year on October 4, is a day dedicated to improving animal welfare standards across the globe. Although this special day just passed, we still want to recognize it, as it unites all animal rights organizations into one global movement, creating a collective force with a shared mission of making the world a better place for animals — domestic and wild.

Many new dog owners are surprised to learn that their puppy doesn’t instinctively know how to walk politely on a leash. They understand the reality quickly during the first few walks, when their new little fur friend is bolting until they run out of leash or tugging the entire way. Mastering the leash is something that requires training, and it’s surprisingly easy if you know what to do.

Though people often associate September with football season, back-to-school, and the unofficial start of fall, it is also Responsible Dog Ownership Month. Founded by the American Kennel Club (AKC), this month-long event is all about helping pet parents learn how to raise healthy, happy dogs.

Myths follow us through life, from the idea that lightning won’t strike twice in the same place to the infamous penny thrown off the Empire State Building being lethal for an unsuspecting pedestrian below. Our dogs are no exception, being the subject of many myths themselves. As veterinarians, we want to correct as many misconceptions as possible so owners can steer clear of falsehoods and let their dogs live their best lives. Following are some of the most common we hear, and the truth behind them.

It’s a hard concept to digest, but it’s been proven time and time again that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement over punishment – so get ready for extra praise, plenty of ear scratches, and a stockpile of treats if your dog needs training or has some behavioral corrections to make. We know that training a dog and, in particular, a puppy can be challenging and even frustrating but, as veterinarians, we also know that yelling and berating versus positive reinforcement is not going to work.