For dog owners, the past few years haven't been easy.
You've had to deal with issues like separation anxiety — when your pet gets extremely stressed and destructive when you leave them alone — or lack of socialization, resulting in fearfulness or aggression, all while vets have been backlogged thanks to more adoptions and check-ups postponed during the pandemic.
Thankfully, there are numerous online resources that can address the growing demand for support, help you navigate training, and teach you about care and maintenance.
We've done the legwork and rounded up our favorite sites for all of you dog owners to have at your fingertips, to help with whatever you might be facing.
1. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Informally known as the ASPCA, the nonprofit was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 when he saved a horse from being beaten by a carriage driver. The organization has been rescuing animals ever since. In addition to posting dogs (and cats) for adoption, the ASPCA site has tons of behavioral and health resources about taking care of your dog, DIY dog toys, and introducing your dog to a new baby.
2. American Kennel Club
It's not hyperbole to say that the AKC represents the gold standard of dog breeds. The organization's mission is to maintain a registry and standards of purebred dogs. Lofty mission statement aside, the AKC loves all kinds of dogs and has expert resources on everything from safe cleaning products to use around your dog to the difference in characteristics between Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers.
3. Best Friends Animal Society
What started as a sanctuary in Utah in 1984 for stray dogs and cats has turned into a national organization dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and adopting animals. The Best Friends Animal Society website has an entire resource center dedicated to rescues and animal rights advocacy. Learn about behavioral issues and find guides on how to safely rescue dogs.
4. Chewy
Like an Amazon specifically for pets and pet-owners, Chewy is the one-stop shop for food, supplies, treats, toys, medicine, and anything else you might need for your dog (or cat, or horse, or bird.) It's known for its dedication to customer service, fast shipping, and innovative thinking, exemplified by its launch of a veterinary telemedicine service during the pandemic.
5. BringFido
Whether you're looking for a restaurant in your neighborhood or planning a vacation, check BringFido first. The site has a database of over 250,000 pet-friendly restaurants, hotels, activities, events, and services all over the world from dog happy hours to dog-friendly honeymoon resorts. Plus, each entry has detailed information about the company's pet policy and customer reviews.
6. PetMD
Written and reviewed by veterinarians and pet experts, PetMD provides health information and advice for all of your pet parenting needs. Whether it's for something small like how to clean your dog's teeth, or an emergency like what to do if your dog accidentally ingested weed (yep, happens a lot) this site is a great resource to have bookmarked.
7. Rover
You may know Rover as the site for booking dog walkers and sitters, but did you know it has a doggy blog? We love it because it addresses some of the everyday issues that the average dog owner experiences: What do you do with your dog on a rainy day? How long you can leave your dog alone? Plus, there are insights from its database of users (with their consent), like top dog names of 2021.
8. Bark Box
Anyone who doesn't spoil their dog must be made of stone, because showering our pups with toys and treats (in moderation) is one of the best parts about having a dog. Bark Box makes that easy with a monthly subscription. To sign up, you make a profile about your dog including any special needs/allergies and you can set preferences like more/less treats or more/less toys. There are also different boxes that cater to specific needs like "Super Chewer" for dogs that need tough toys or "Bark Bright" for dental care.
9. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
Finding the right dog trainer can be daunting. Begin your search with the database from CCPDT, one of the most reputable organizations for certifying professional dog trainers. A trainer with CCPDT certifications (which are CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA) tells you that they've undergone thorough and rigorous training. Not all good trainers have this certification, and not all trainers with this certification are great, but it's a helpful place to start.
10. Reddit
Just like it is for other passionate communities, Reddit is a gold mine for dog owners. Its community-based format is perfect for lively discussion, sharing stories, and learning from fellow dog lovers. We love r/AskVet for direct answers from veterinary professionals and r/DogTraining for all kinds of tips and tricks, like hyper-specific posts about scent training or how to address reactivity.
Topics Animals
