Humans see a lot of themselves in dogs—that’s why these pets always fascinate us. One trait that we seemingly share in common with them is anxiety. When we see our dogs distracted and fidgety, or when we hear them whining and whimpering, we know that something is bothering them.

One situation where anxiety crops up in dogs is when they are separated from us. A lot of dogs display this through barking, howling, clawing at the door, or being unruly. Just as in humans, separation anxiety is something that is not beneficial and should be addressed.

A dog on the loose can get in a lot of trouble and potentially get injured or cause a traffic accident. Dogs are naturally playful and will use any opportunity they get to run away from the backyard, unless you do something about it. With the right training, and a few other techniques, your dog will never leave the house without you again.

Why dogs run away

In order to know how to stop or, even better, prevent the dog from running away, you should know why they want to do it in the first place. Namely, dogs feel attached to the house they grew up in, so if you’ve moved recently, their instinct will drive them back to the previous home. Therefore, they will try to leave the unfamiliar place every time until they become comfortable and aware that they’re actually in a new home. Furthermore, if the previous home had a significantly larger backyard than the current one or if the new place does not have a backyard at all, the lack of freedom will make your dog want to run away towards a more opened space.

If you're thinking about bringing a new canine home for your family, consider adopting one from a shelter. You'll find shelters are filled with dogs that would make ideal companions if given the chance. Some are there because they became lost and were unable to find their way home. Others are there because their previous owners were unable to continue caring for them (e.g. they moved into an apartment with a "no pet" policy). A reputable shelter will take the time to make sure a pet in their care is a good match for you and your family.

This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine.

Introducing a pet into the family home can have a number of fantastic benefits for children. Not only will it help teach them...

CANCER.

What a horrible word. One we have come to dread these days. There is generally nothing pleasant that is ever associated with this word. It is estimated that nearly 7.5 million people die from some form of cancer every year. That is a devastating number. And, yet, the odds of survival once cancer has been detected today are much better than they were even 10 years ago. Every year we get closer to earlier diagnosis, better treatments and more optimistic chances of survival.

Over the years, quite a few dogs have passed through my life. Lady, my cocker-spaniel/retriever mix, was with me for eighteen years. I found her – or more accurately – she found me while I was working at a small animal shelter just outside town. One look into those big, brown eyes and I was hooked. Other dogs, like Missy, a wire-haired beagle and daschund mix, were mine to keep for only a few months before they found their permanent homes.