Dog Training & Care Archives

Perfect Pairings: Picking the Pup with the Right Personality for You

by Amy Shojai | Feb 18, 2026

Just like humans, every pet has a particular personality. Some are naturally active, ready for adventure, and eager to see what you’re up to. Others are more laid back and offer all the chill vibes. Puppy personality and development changes over weeks, too. But because every pet is unique, it’s important to look for a furry partner who shares a love of your lifestyle!

Before you rush out and adopt the cutest pet you find, think about what kind of pet personality would be a great match so you can share lots of love and fun times for years to come. Sometimes puppy temperament tests can help you predict the perfect puppy match.

The Science Behind Pet Personalities: Why Your Dog Acts the Way It Does

by Amy Shojai | Feb 16, 2026

From time to time, I discover organizations and individuals that stand out in amazing, passionate ways. They have vision and purpose to help pets–and those who love them–in unique ways. To honor them and the great work they do, I host them on this blog. Today, WAGGLE.org shares terrific information about ways to understand our dogs–and be sure to check out WAGGLE.org, a unique crowd-funding source dedicated to pets and people needing emergency help with vet bills.

Celebrating Valentines Day the Furry Way: Gifts for Pets and Pet Lovers

by Amy Shojai | Feb 13, 2026

Valentine’s Day is the purr-fect tail-wagging time to show some love to your furry family. Here are some fun gift ideas for you and your pets.

National Love Your Pet Day: 15 Ways How Pets Show Love

by Amy Shojai | Feb 12, 2026

At my house, I see how pets show love every day. If you wonder, how do I make my cat love me, it’s easy! February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day, but Valentine’s Day comes soon. At my house, pet love happens EVERY day. Whether you love your pet with special attention, treats and toys or lap snuggles, pet love has become a given in our pet-friendly society.

9 Dental Issues You Share With Your Cats and Dogs

by Amy Shojai | Feb 11, 2026

Pet dental problems rate as important to cats and dogs as your own dental issues are for you. Could your dog’s breath melt your glasses? Does your cat’s smile look like five miles of bad road? Pet dental problems are surprisingly similar to their owners’ dental issues. ..

Valentine’s Day: Pet Danger Advice

by Amy Shojai | Feb 10, 2026

I’m often interviewed by media about various cat behavior and dog training issues, and of course, Valentine’s pet dangers top the list this week. Pet hazards are common when our normal routine goes out the window, so pet parents are vigilant around the holidays. Refer to this post about Easter dangers for pets. And don’t forget that pet safety issues for Christmas are similar to those for Valentine’s Day but it’s always good to refresh our watch list.

Listen To Your Muse: How Pets, Music & Theater Make a Paw-sitive Difference for Animals

by Amy Shojai | Jan 30, 2026

Twelve years ago today a special stray cat arrived on my doorstep …and stayed. And later that year, a very special musical STRAYS debuted, inspired by Karma (and other furry muses). What has YOUR muse led you to do? Here’s an inside look into my world…

Stray Cat Finds Forever Home: Karma Comes Home

by Amy Shojai | Jan 30, 2026

On this anniversary of Karma’s Gotcha-Day, I wanted to share how my stray cat found his forever home. This was originally published on February 7, 2014, the day it became official…when Karma Came Home!

I’ve included the opening song from STRAYS, THE MUSICAL that celebrates such homecomings… enjoy!

Old Dog Senility: Reversing Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

by Amy Shojai | Jan 23, 2026

I’ve been blessed to share my life with two senior dogs, but only Magical-Dawg showed signs of dog senility, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction. Yes, both dogs and cats can suffer from a form of dementia, that some might described as a type of canine Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no cure–but you can reverse the signs or slow them down for at time with these tips…

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Why Does My Cat Eat Grass?

Kitties are obligate carnivores. They MUST eat meat to derive the correct nutrients to live and thrive. So, what’s the deal with grazing? Check out some of the reasons…including a video from my Pet Talk days.

Attack Cat Protects Human! Fictional Macy-Cat Imitates Life

We mostly think of DOGS as heroes protecting their people. But what about cats? Does he or she serve as a guard kitty, able and willing to keep bad guys at bay? Here are a few examples–and why I include cats sometimes unexpected behaviors in my thriller fiction.

Pet Pampering: When Do We Spoil Pets Too Much?

Give ‘em toys, for sure. Lavish attention, absolutely. Dress yourself up and accessorize with jewelry et al. But when pampering transforms our pets into mere fashion statements, I gotta draw a line in the kitty litter. Give me a break! What do YOU think…can spoiling your pet go too far?

Dog Vomiting: How to Treat Puppy Vomiting At Home

A vomiting dog or puppy vomiting can be very dangerous for your pet, and while we don’t like to talk about it, pet vomit is a fact of life. Dogs tend to vomit more readily than almost all other animals. (The cats just started snickering . . . ) When we brought a new puppy into our house, we became even more alert to the issue.

Water Binging Vomit

Bravo-Dawg used to vomit due to high-energy play immediately after eating–or gulping down buckets of water. We learned to keep him calm for at least a half-hour after meals, and to interrupt his water-binging antics.

With tiny puppies, it’s even more important for them to get a health evaluation more quickly since they can get even sicker quicker than the bigger or adult dogs. Puppy vomiting is even more serious when accompanied by diarrhea. It’s important to understand why dogs vomit, and whether or not to treat puppy vomiting at home.

Pet Music Therapy? The Sound of Success!

Pet music therapy can help solve dog and cat behavior problems as well as offer physical therapeutic benefits. Our pets are attuned to sound and are incredibly sensitive to noises, including music. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, some pets with “stranger danger” issues are in for a rough ride. Pet music therapy can help. Read on for more tips.

Saint Patrick’s Day: 8 Irish Dogs & A Cat from Ireland

Begob and bejabbers, are ye Irish? My family hails from both Ireland and Scotland, and while Karma-Kat, Trinity-Kitten and Shadow-Pup can’t claim the same, it’s fun to share St Patrick’s Day pets breeds that have a distinctive Irish heritage. After all, St Patrick’s Day offers the perfect time to brag some blarney and lift a pint of greet beverage! Far more Irish dog breeds fill the list. But at least one cat breed arose from Ireland.

Also, beware of some festive decor and treats that may prove toxic to your pets. Shamrocks (both the green and purple lucky four-leaf clover type plants), can cause drooling, head-shaking and upset tummies in small amounts. Eating a bunch could cause kidney damage. And it should go without saying that beer or alcohol in any form (even green beer) is a no-no!

Read on to learn more about these Irish pets.

How to Choose the Best Herbal Medicine for Pets: What’s Safe, What’s Dangerous for Dogs and Cats

In today’s world of cutting-edge medicine, we consider herbs for pets and herbal medicine to be old-fashioned. But holistic veterinarians continue to use herbs for pets because many of these plants are the foundation of modern drugs and medications, but don’t cause the same side effects.

Chinese herbal medicine has regained popularity for both human and pet care treatments. I learned a lot about them while researching my book NEW CHOICES IN NATURAL HEALING FOR DOGS AND CATS. And when the vet diagnosed Bravo-Dawg with hemangiosarcoma, I learned about I’m-Yunity, a Chinese herbal medicine treatment shown helpful in veterinary studies of the herb. Here are some things you need to know about using herbs with pets.

What to Know About Grain Free Cat Food, Does It Matter?

Have you heard about grain-free cat food? A few years ago, the word “natural” got attached to both people and cat food products, even though there was no legal definition of the term or specific benefit—folks just like the idea of a “natural” product. Today the latest buzz-word is “grain-free” and a wide variety of grain-free cat foods are now available. Is that good, bad, or…?

How to Stop Howls & What Do Dog Howls Mean

We typically think of howls to be a wolf trait, and it’s true that these wild cousins use howls in a haunting, effective manner. In my neck of the woods, wannabe wolves (aka coyotes) serenade the evening moon, and house dogs sing along with their wild cousins. Despite popular memes to the contrary, dogs are not wolves—or coyotes—so exactly what’s up with all the arrrroooooo-ing? Why do dogs howl?

How to Train My Puppy to Potty On Grass?

DEAR ASK AMY…Why won’t my dog go on grass?

Here’s my answer…including another YouTube video with tips.

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