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How to break a dog’s separation anxiety so you can finally leave the house

Understanding separation anxiety helps you and your nervous pup

Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Is your puppy breathing fast while sleeping? Here’s when you should worry and how to help your dog
When to call a vet because your pup is breathing fast while sleeping
A Jack Russell terrier lies in bed between the feet of his owner

It’s hard not to love watching your puppy sleep. In fact, they might somehow manage to get cuter as they snooze. They look so content and peaceful, especially if they're snuggled up to you. Though experts frequently recommend giving your pet their own sleep space, like a crate, it’s ultimately up to you. Regardless of where and when your puppy is sleeping, you want them to be comfortable and safe. If you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, you may get worried. Should you be? It depends.
Here’s what experts want you to know about labored breathing during sleep and when to call a vet.

Different puppy sleeping patterns
Before we get into breathing patterns, it could help to have some knowledge of puppy sleeping patterns. They're similar to ours, though puppies cycle through them more quickly than humans. A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases.

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How to clean your dog’s ears: A step-by-step guide every pet parent needs
Clean your dog's ears in 9 practical, simple steps
Dog with flappy ears in bed

You're certainly not alone if your pup’s ears are one of your favorite parts about them. They can be super soft to the touch, they perk up when you walk into the room, and they somehow always hear you open your refrigerator no matter how quietly you do it. These are just a few reasons why knowing how to clean a dog’s ears should be required learning for pet parents.

Yet, often, it’s not. When we take home our pets, we sometimes have pamphlets on feeding, playing with toys, and keeping up with vaccinations. Don’t get us wrong--those are all important things to know. However, cleaning a dog’s ears is an important part of maintaining your pup's health that's not often talked about.

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Are your dear old dog’s back legs collapsing? Here’s what to do
Caring for an older dog with weak back legs
An old black dog with a graying muzzle lying on a porch

Dogs are considered our best friends for a reason, and we adore pups of any age. That being said, we’re not ashamed to say that the oldest fur babies make the dearest companions. Our senior dog family members have been with us through all of life's ups and downs, and we've spent years bonding with them. As our fur babies get older, health issues can arise, including your old dog's back legs collapsing.

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