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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released a new report which states that it’s almost impossible to search for a puppy online without coming across at least one scam. In fact, according to the report:

“Experts believe at least 80% of the sponsored advertising links that appear in an internet search for pets may be fraudulent.”

While anybody can fall into this scam, the people who are most likely to fall for it are those in their 20s and 30s. People in this age group are more likely to do much of their shopping online and think nothing of buying a puppy they haven’t seen in person. Any dog breed could be used in a scam, but the most common are French Bulldogs, Yorkies, Bulldogs, and Pomeranians.

So, how can you avoid being scammed?

-See the puppy you want to purchase in person before the sale is completed. (This also reduces the odds of getting your next furry friend from a puppy mill.)

-Never ever wire money to a stranger via Western Union, MoneyGram, or similar companies. Sellers who ask for payment of this type are almost all frauds, and since it’s essentially a cash transaction, it’s almost impossible to recover your money once you realize you’ve been scammed.

-Do an image search of the puppy’s picture. Google Images will allow you to paste a url or upload a photo and it will search the internet for matches. If the same exact picture pops up in multiple places across the internet, you’re probably dealing with a fraudulent company.

-If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

(H/T: ABC News, BBB)

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While some people want a very active companion, others are looking to spend more time relaxing with their canine friends. There’s nothing wrong with that, and there are certainly plenty of breeds who fit the couch potato description! While all dogs are individuals and have their own unique needs, here you’ll find some breeds that are generally more on the lazy side.

#1 – Basset Hound

These hounds are unique due to their naturally short legs and long, dragging ears. While they were originally bred to be tracking dogs like their Bloodhound cousins, Bassets nowadays would typically rather be watching TV with you on the couch.

#2 – English Mastiff

Despite their size, the English Mastiff is a gentle giant who wants nothing more than to relax with his people. While he makes a good watch dog by presence and looks alone, don’t expect him to go chasing after the bad guy!

#3 – Shih Tzu

These adorable little Chinese dogs are one of the most ancient dog breeds around, and are known for their friendly demeanor even towards strangers. Shih Tzus really don’t care who’s snuggling up on the couch with a blanket, so long as they’re allowed to join the fun!

#4 – Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are considered to be gentle giants, and rightfully so. Despite being bred for retrieving in icy waters, these huge dogs are perfectly happy relaxing at home with their families.

#5 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Originally hunting dogs, these toy spaniels are bred now for their affectionate, soft personalities. They want nothing more than to be with their people and make excellent lap dogs for those looking for a stay-at-home companion. 

#6 – English Bulldog

Although English Bulldogs are popularly used for tricks and stunts, they’re actually a very lazy breed that needs a little coaxing to get out and work! They make excellent family companions, and you’ll be as surprised by their snoring as you are by their intelligence! 

#7 – Chow Chow

These Chinese dogs are known for their iconic fluffy coats. Bred as an all-purpose dog, it’s not uncommon for Chow Chows to show their origin as working dogs on occasion, and they are excellent guard dogs. However, they typically don’t exhibit the desire for activity that they once used to show.

#8 – Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet, and was used to alert monks to intruders. While they maintain their watchdog capabilities today, Lhasa Apso generally prefer to do their work from your lap. They are deeply loyal to their families and make affectionate companions. 

#9 – Pekingese

Perhaps the ultimate couch potato, the Pekingese was actually bred with the original purpose of being a lap dog! Although they were used to keep Chinese royals company, they are now bred to keep everyone company and make excellent family pets.

#10 – French Bulldog

The French Bulldog does have spurts of energy here and there, but is generally very lazy like his English cousin. French Bulldogs make great watchdogs but prefer to do their work from the comfort of their beds, and it’s not uncommon to see them sleeping on the job!

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An Illinois alderman is hoping stricter ordinances about tethers and leashes will keep pets safer and happier.

Alderman John Beck recognized a widespread concern for animal welfare when a dog that wasn’t on a leash ran up and attacked another dog in his ward. It’s a situation that dog owners see far too often, but emergency vet bills haven’t deterred owners from allowing their dogs to roam freely.

Animal advocates stress the importance of leashes while explaining an unleashed dog’s friendly temperament and good training isn’t enough to prevent an attack or accident. All dogs react differently to having a strange animal come up to them off-leash, and owners of dogs that are skittish and territorial want to protect everyone from those unpredictable reactions. Beck proposes a local law that will protect all dogs and their owners by keeping them from “running at large.” Dogs not on their owner’s property will be required to be on leash.

At the same time, Beck believes dogs that spend extended amounts of time at the end of a tether are being deprived by their owners. He said forcing an animal to live its life on the end of a rope is “cruel,” and his second proposal is to put strict limits on how long a dog can be tied up.

The community is still waiting on whether or not the animal welfare ordinances will be made official, but there are many residents who stand strong in their support of Beck’s ideas. There is no state-wide restriction or guideline when it comes to leash laws and tethering in Illinois. The state government leaves it up to local communities, and Beck’s ward, which includes Rockford and neighboring towns. would be one of only a few areas to take an official stand on the subject.

If the proposals pass a local vote, violators will face up to a $300 fine for a first offense. Beck and his supporters believe it’s a fair price to encourage residents to protect their pets.

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As disasters continue to strike in the Western Hemisphere, more and more heroes emerge, astounding us with their initiative and generous nature. Most recently, we’re charmed by hero Sali Gear and the shelter volunteers of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sali Gear grew up in the U.S Virgin Islands, and is co-owner of Island Dog Rescue in St. Croix. The organization works with shelters in the tiny Islands to move pets to shelters on the mainland, where they are more likely to find homes. They, along with the rest of the Caribbean, have faced a rough September. They weathered not one, but two major hurricanes in just one month. Island Dog Rescue survived Hurricane Irma with minimal damage, and got right back to work despite facing numerous issues including lack of electricity and supplies, and communication problems. Instead of giving up, they tried harder than ever to get pets off the island and into homes as recovery efforts began in the Caribbean.

Soon, though, news came in that another storm was approaching, and the Virgin Islands could expect a direct hit from a second powerful hurricane. Sali Gear and the volunteers with Island Dog Rescue wasted no time doing what they could to save not only the pets in their care, but on all three islands.

Together with donors, Sali managed to raise enough money to purchase crates and charter a plane to move over 300 pets off the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John – and out of harm’s way! Not only did they rescue pets in the care of shelters, but their organization reached out EVERYONE in the Virgin Islands, offering to fly their pets to safety on Sali’s farm in Virginia Beach for free!

Volunteers worked tirelessly to organize crates, prepare pets for travel, and transport them to the plane. With Hurricane Maria approaching, there was very little time, but they made it happen!

The charter plane landed in Virginia, and were received by volunteers at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach. Hurricane Maria was perhaps more devastating than Irma, and completely destroyed the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center – which was empty, thanks to Sali Gear and the volunteers on the Virgin Islands! Hundreds of pets that might have lost their lives in the storm are safe.

Island Dog Rescue is now asking followers to consider donating funds to help rebuild the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, which offered free veterinary care to those in need after Hurricane Irma, but is no longer standing after Hurricane Maria. You can donate here.

Featured Photo: Ray Syzmanski/Facebook

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There are several reasons you may want or need to change your dog’s diet throughout his lifetime. Whether your pooch has developed an aversion or allergy to his current diet, the time has come to switch from adult to senior food, or you simply feel that an upgrade is in order, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that the process does not upset your pup’s delicate digestive system.

While some dogs seem to have steel traps for stomachs, others are extremely sensitive. Even the slightest change or new addition could potentially result in vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, or serious illnesses like pancreatitis.

These 6 tips will help you make the best choices regarding your dog’s diet, as well as switch foods safely and seamlessly.

1. Consult Your Veterinarian

Before making any major changes to your dog’s daily routine, it is best to discuss it with your vet. He or she knows your dog from a medical standpoint and can help point you in the right direction. Depending on your pup’s individual history, your vet may recommend a specific brand, a grain-free diet, raw feeding, or even suggest you continue with the current food.

 

2. Avoid “Brand Hopping”

Resist the fancy claims, advertising tricks, and blowout sales the major pet food brands use to lure you in. Frequent diet changes can upset the healthy flora that live within your dog’s digestive tract and exacerbate food allergies. It is best to choose a high-quality diet suitable for your dog’s specific needs and lifestage and stick with it unless otherwise recommended by your vet.

 

3. Make the Change Gradually

When initiating a diet change, you want to do so slowly to avoid shocking your dog’s system. Veterinarians sometimes recommend the “cold turkey” approach when treating certain medical conditions in order to reap the benefits of the new diet as soon as possible, but for all other dogs, the diet change should go something like this:

• Day 1: Feed 75% original diet and 25% new
• Day 2: Feed 70% original/30% new
• Day 3: Feed 60% original/40% new
• Day 4: Feed 50% of each
• Day 5: Feed 40% original/60% new
• Day 6: Feed 25% original/75% new
• Day 7: If no problems, feed 100% new diet from this point on

**If at any point during this process your dog stops eating or develops vomiting or diarrhea, do not feed any more of the new food and call your vet.

 

4. Consider Probiotics for Sensitive Pups

Did you know that probiotics can be used short-term in order to help your dog through times of illness, change and stress? Products like Proviable come in kits to be given over several days. They provide a massive boost of healthy probiotic microorganisms and prebiotics to help prevent and treat stress colitis caused by diet change, intestinal illness, anxiety due to travel or kenneling, etc.

 

5. Beware of Common Allergens

If you are changing your dog’s diet in an effort to identify or treat a potential food sensitivity, it is best to avoid the most common allergens. Wheat, beef, dairy, eggs and chicken are found in many mainstream diets and are often identified as triggers for sensitive dogs. Ask your vet if a new food that does not include these ingredients is best for your pup.

 

6. Skip the Scraps

This step can be a difficult one! When making a diet change for a medical reason, it is best to cut out all treats and table scraps for at least six weeks. Many people expect immediate results when experimenting with a prescription or limited ingredient diet, but it takes time for the system to reset and adjust to the new food. Treats and healthy whole foods can be slowly reintroduced at a later time in the diet trial under your vet’s supervision.

 

Featured Image via Flickr/Eli Christman

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