This past week, I received a press release from Yale (copied in part, below) sharing hopeful information about a new vaccine to treat osteosarcoma. As many readers know, we lost our Bravo-Dawg to that horrible disease. After amputation of his leg, and successful chemotherapy, he ultimately died of another cancer (hemangiosarcoma). So anytime I receive good news about these horrible diseases, I’m eager to share.

You’ll want to watch the video that profiles Hunter, a SAR dog that received this diagnosis. Because of his owner’s prompt attention and insistence and outreach to Yale, the Golden Retriever received the experimental treatment developed by Yale researcher Mark Mamula, and has enjoyed a survival time double that of most dogs with this diagnosis. Read more about this hopeful advance in the blog!

It’s time to get physical! Love it or hate it, exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for you. I walk on my desk treadmill every day to keep my joints loose and muscles toned. The Pet Health Network notes that obesity can lead to future health issues like arthritis, heart and breathing issues, and can even take two years off your dog’s life!

I love sharing pet health tips from other pet professionals. But always check with your veterinarian about your own dog’s specific issues, to make sure they stay happy and healthy. Here are my top five fitness tips for dogs.

Puppy Temperament Tests: Guide to Understanding Puppy Testing

Many breeders and shelter workers swear by puppy temperament tests–or they swear AT them! Learn what puppy temperament tests offer, and how best you can use them to find the pup of your dreams. If a new puppy figures in your 2022 plans, take a look at what you need to know about puppy temperament tests.

What Are Puppy Temperament Tests?

When Magic was a baby, his breeder conducted a series of puppy temperament tests to better predict his future personality. Many professional breeders do this best match each pup to future owners. We won that lottery, in part because Magic was an opinionated, head-strong, smart-aleck pup with test indications predicting he’d make a great Schutzhund dog. Because we’d had a German Shepherd in the past, and my background in behavior, the breeder figured we’d know how to channel that drive. Even so, Magic still nearly drove us crazy when the normal delinquent behavior began! That’s when many dogs lose their homes.

Inappropriate expectations by prospective pet owners are a major risk factor for relinquishment. Owners fall in love with a barking bundle of joy, or a needy shivery stray. They dream of the Lassie-beneath-the-fur, but end up with a headstrong aggressive delinquent, or a clingy anxious pooch that eats through doors. That’s where temperament tests can help, not just for professional breeders, but also shelters and rescues.