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Tag: dog lifestyle

  • The Friend movie dog story | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Dogs not only bring people together but also help us heal from loss and grief. The Friend movie dog story, based on the bestselling novel by Sigrid Nunez, highlights the deep emotional bond between a grieving woman and a Great Dane. It shows how love, loss, and unexpected friendship can transform a life.

    Bleecker Street produced and released the film in March; it focuses on Iris, a writer and teacher played by Naomi Watts. Iris’ comfortable, solitary New York life falls apart after her closest friend and mentor, Walter (Bill Murray), takes his own life. He unexpectedly leaves her his beloved 150-pound Great Dane, Apollo.

    While processing her grief, anger, and sorrow, Iris finds herself grappling with Apollo, who she initially doesn’t want. Living in a small Manhattan apartment that doesn’t allow animals presents her with the threat of eviction, among other problems.

    Iris desperately tries to find a new home for the giant dog. But as the weeks go by, she starts to bond with Apollo and realizes she can’t give him up. After all, he’s the only other creature who understands the depth of her loss, and who also loved Walter. 

    One challenge the filmmakers faced was finding the right dog to portray Apollo. Producers Scott McGehee, David Siegel and Mike Spreter needed a dog capable of delivering a one-of-a-kind performance that would anchor the emotional relationship at the center of the movie. 

    “Scott and I both love dogs,” says Siegel. “That was really the attraction of the book — the dog. It’s not a story where the dog is goofy or does funny tricks or winds up getting into mischief. This dog is a sad character who needs to come out of his shell and open up to the world.”

    The producers contacted Great Dane organizations across the country. They were looking for a Harlequin Great Dane that matched Nunez’ description of Apollo. This is a rare breed and finding one that could convincingly portray a heartbroken dog took nearly six months.

    Finally, their search led them to a young Great Dane named Bing and his person, Bev Klingensmith, who live in Newton, Iowa. 

    “Bing was raised lovingly in a family environment, so he’s very well socialized,” says McGehee. “Some of the other dogs we met — more professional dogs, show dogs — didn’t have the centered, gentle, human-like connection we found in Bing.”

    As the film progresses, Iris’ affection for Apollo deepens. She begins coming to terms with her past, and her own creative inner life. The blossoming relationship between Iris and her new canine friend lies at the heart of The Friend movie dog story. 

    Photos courtesy of Bleecker Street


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  • Enrich Your Senior Dog’s Golden Years | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Every senior dog deserves a life filled with joy, stimulation, and connection. As dogs age, their needs change, but their spirits remain eager for adventure. Understanding senior dog enrichment can transform their golden years into a vibrant chapter filled with happiness and health.

    Tailored Activities

    Engaging senior dogs requires tailoring activities to their unique personalities. Some may thrive on calm moments, soaking up sunlight and enjoying quiet companionship. Others, the more spirited ones, crave stimulation and interaction. Regular discussions with veterinarians about safe activities ensure you meet your dog’s evolving needs.

    Plan leisurely walks in pleasant settings, allowing dogs to explore at their own pace. These outings become “sniffathons,” where the world unfolds. Incorporate indoor activities like food puzzles and simple tricks to keep their minds sharp. Remember, learning new tricks keeps their spirits high, reinforcing the bond between dog and human.

    Fun Without Strain

    Senior dogs enjoy participating in modified sports that respect their physical limits. Agility classes with lowered jumps and scent work competitions allow dogs to engage without pushing their bodies too hard. These activities foster social connections and mental stimulation.

    Tracking and barn hunts are popular choices, offering excitement while ensuring safety. Adjust the difficulty to suit your senior dog’s capabilities. These gentle challenges stimulate their minds while providing a sense of accomplishment.

    Holistic Preventive Measures for Longevity

    Maintaining a senior dog’s health requires proactive measures. Nutrition plays a key role. Opt for high-quality, age-appropriate foods that support joint health and overall well-being. Incorporate supplements like omega fatty acids for joint mobility and cognitive function.

    Regular vet check-ups help identify health issues early. Discussing overall health status including dental health can prevent complications later. Engage in gentle exercises that promote mobility and strength. Swimming or walking on soft surfaces are excellent for minimizing strain on aging joints.

    Spark Joy and Connection

    Every moment spent with a senior dog is an opportunity for joy and connection. Enrich their lives by participating in activities together, whether through simple walks or engaging in modified sports. Foster an environment where they feel loved, safe, and valued.

    Understanding their unique needs helps create a fulfilling lifestyle for your senior dog. These golden years can be filled with exploration, joy, and countless memories. Take an effort to understand senior dog enrichment. Embrace the journey together, and watch your bond deepen with each shared experience.

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  • Walking: The Ultimate Medicine for Your Dog’s Well-Being | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Walking was called the man’s best medicine by Hippocrates. This medicine extends beyond humans; it applies to dogs too. Dogs thrive on movement, and walking enhances their overall wellness.

    The song ‘I Like to Move It, Move It’ was probably inspired by dogs. They like to move it and they would love it if you move with them. Each step taken together strengthens the bond between companion and canine, fostering happiness and trust.

    Regular walks provide numerous physical and mental health benefits. 

    Physical Benefits of Daily Walks

    Daily walks serve as the cornerstone for a dog’s physical health. Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases. Active dogs experience improved cardiovascular health and stronger muscles. Regular movement keeps joints flexible, aiding in the prevention of arthritis. Each walk transforms into an adventure, stimulating the senses and promoting overall vitality.

    Mental Stimulation Through Exploration

    Walking offers more than just physical benefits; it enriches a dog’s mental landscape. New environments, scents, and sounds ignite curiosity. Dogs thrive on exploration and learning. Regular walks expose them to varied stimuli, reducing anxiety and boredom. This mental engagement fosters a happier, well-adjusted canine. Every outing becomes an opportunity for discovery, enhancing their emotional health.

    Strengthening the Human-Canine Bond

    Every walk deepens the connection between companion and canine. Shared experiences create lasting memories. Engaging with a dog during walks encourages communication and understanding. This time together fosters trust, leading to a strong emotional bond. Dogs feel secure and loved, reinforcing their loyalty and affection. The companionship formed through walks translates to happier and more obedient behavior.

    Some Measures for Enhanced Benefits of Walking

    Incorporating holistic practices enhances the benefits of walking. Incorporating training sessions during walks reinforces good behavior and provides mental exercise. Feeding a balanced diet at home supports overall health, complementing the physical activity. Regular veterinary check-ups ensure your dog remains healthy and ready for daily adventures.

    Walking becomes a journey that promotes well-being for both dog and parent. Each step taken together enriches lives and strengthens bonds. Embrace this simple yet profound activity. Encourage daily walks to unlock the myriad benefits that come with them. Witness firsthand how walking transforms your dog’s health and happiness. Make it a priority for both you and your dog. Move it!


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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  • Understanding Fibrocartilaginous Embolism: A Matter of Your Dog’s Spinal Health | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) poses a significant risk to the spinal health of dogs, especially large breeds aged three to seven years. This condition arises when a fragment of fibrous cartilage breaks off from an intervertebral disc and enters the bloodstream. This blockage deprives the spinal cord of essential blood flow, leading to sudden neurological deficits. Signs of FCE include weakness, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control. Recognizing these symptoms early can play a crucial role in your dog’s recovery.

    Immediate Actions and Diagnosis

    Upon noticing sudden changes in your dog’s mobility or behavior, consult a veterinarian immediately. Quick diagnosis often involves observing clinical signs and may require advanced imaging techniques like MRI to confirm FCE. Your veterinarian will assess the severity of spinal cord damage and discuss management options. Quick action can make a world of difference in outcomes.

    Supportive Care and Rehabilitation

    While no specific treatment exists for FCE, supportive care can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life. Create a comfortable space with soft bedding to prevent pressure sores. Assist with mobility using slings or harnesses, helping your dog navigate daily activities. Regularly monitor for urinary issues, maintaining hygiene to avoid skin irritation. These efforts contribute to a smoother recovery process.

    Holistic Preventive Measures

    Preventing FCE starts with maintaining your dog’s overall health. Ensure your dog engages in regular, moderate exercise tailored to their age and breed. Incorporate low-impact activities like swimming to strengthen muscles without straining joints. A balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can promote joint health. Regular veterinary check-ups can help identify any underlying issues.

    The Road to Recovery

    Recovery from FCE varies based on the severity of spinal cord damage. Many dogs show improvement within two weeks, while some may recover fully. However, it’s important to note that lasting neurological deficits can occur. A poor prognosis arises if your dog shows no improvement within the first two weeks or lacks deep pain perception at diagnosis. With diligent care involving approaches such as water treadmills, many dogs can achieve a good quality of life despite ongoing challenges.

    Understanding fibrocartilaginous embolism in dogs empowers you to take proactive steps in safeguarding your dog’s health. Prioritizing regular check-ups, balanced nutrition, and exercise helps you create an environment that fosters well-being. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to your dog’s happiness and longevity. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and cherish every moment with your canine companion.


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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  • How to train your dog to come when called | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Learn how to build a strong recall in your dog with these seven steps to success. 

    Teaching your dog a reliable recall is crucial for her safety and your peace of mind. Knowing your dog will come when called can be a lifesaver. This skill is invaluable whether you’re at the park, on a hike, or in your backyard. Here’s how to train your dog to come when called by using  positive training methods. 

    Step 1: Create a positive association

    • Start in a non-distracting environment, such as a large room, hallway, or garage, where your dog can focus on you. Choosing a spacious area ensures she has room to move and engage with you without distractions. Grab her favorite treats and toys. Use these to reward her for a job well done.
    • Begin by making novel sounds, such as smooches, clapping, or a happy upbeat voice, to get your dog’s attention. You will eventually replace these sounds with your recall word.

    Hint: The goal is to pique her interest so she turns to look at you.

    • As soon as she looks toward you, encourage her to come by happily running a few steps back while making more sounds. It may seem silly, but dogs love to play and chase, so your noise and movement will be very enticing to her. 
    • When your dog reaches you, make it an amazing-party celebration! Use enthusiastic praise and rewards, such as treats and toys, to let her know she did something great. Exciting and valuable rewards help your dog associate coming to you with something positive. This makes her more likely to respond quickly.
    • Practice this exercise at various times of the day for a week, ensuring each successful repetition is a big party for your dog. This step is crucial in the training process. It teaches your dog that coming to you is more fun than chasing a squirrel.

    Step 2: Fade your movement

    • In this next step, you’ll focus on fading the part where you run away from your dog. Again, start in a room without distractions. Use your novel sounds and, when your dog looks at you, encourage her to come to you, but don’t run away yourself.
    • Don’t move away from your dog. Instead, use your novel sounds and bend down to the side to encourage her to come to you. In doggy body language, this is an invitation to come closer. You can also tap your leg, make your novel sounds, and smile.

    Hint: Facing your dog straight on is actually telling her to not come too close.

    • Once she comes, celebrate with enthusiastic praise, treats, and play. Repeat these steps periodically throughout the day for a few days. Consistency and big rewards are vital for reinforcing the recall every time. 

    Step 3: Remove prompts

    • Now we’ll remove any physical prompting and focus on using your recall sounds to encourage your dog to come. As before, start in a non-distracting room and have her favorite treats and toys handy as rewards.
    • Make your novel sounds and use happy talk to grab your dog’s attention and get her to come to you. You’ve been practicing this, so it shouldn’t be a challenge. When she comes, reward her with another big party. Give your dog plenty of praise, treats and play to let her know she did the right thing.
    • Practice this several times daily over the course of a few days. With each successful recall, your dog learns that responding to your call is fun and rewarding! 

    Hint: Over time, you should notice her running faster to you so she can cash in on her prize.

    Step 4: Add the recall word

    • Now it’s time to name this wonderful behavior. Before just saying “come” or “here” or whichever word you choose, do two repetitions of Step 3 to get your dog going. On the third repetition, say your recall word just after making your happy sounds. This helps your dog associate the recall word with the action of coming to you. 
    • As always, you want to praise her with an amazing party. When rewarding your dog for coming, remember you are rewarding her for leaving her most desired distraction, so make the celebration good!
    • Repeat this process five times. Ensure your dog responds quickly and enthusiastically each time. Once she consistently comes when she hears the verbal cue, you can slowly start adding distractions and changing environments.

    Step 5: Change environments

    • Now that your dog is reliably coming when called in one location, it’s time to add a bit of a challenge by changing the environment. Move outside to your backyard. Choose a time that isn’t too distracting.
    • Snap on a long leash to ensure safety and so you can reel her in if necessary. Give her about six feet of leash to sniff the yard. 
    • Since this is a new challenge, simplify it to help your dog succeed. Use fun sounds and movement instead of the recall word to encourage her to chase you. Celebrate enthusiastically when she responds. After her party, add another reward by allowing her to go back to sniffing and wandering.
    • If this step proves too challenging, slowly reel in the leash to prevent your dog from having a good time on her own and ignoring your recall. Don’t snap the leash or use any form of pressure; just bring her closer to you and try again. If she’s not successful, go back to the indoor work.

    Hint: Make sure you practice often and, when she’s successful, that the celebratory party is more amazing than anything in the environment.

    • When your dog is successful at six feet, add her recall word and call again. Reward her, then send her back to sniffing. Start adding more leash length: ten feet, twelve feet, etc. You want to teach her that coming to you isn’t a punishment, but means she’ll get something good followed by more sniffing. Practice this at various times throughout the week.

    Step 6: Introduce controlled distractions

    • As your dog’s recall improves, it’s time to add some distractions to the environment. In this step, you’ll either work with a helper or place treats somewhere your dog can see but not reach them.
    • Have your helper hold treats, or place the treats out of reach. Make sure your dog knows they are there, but don’t tease her with them. Stand about six feet away from your dog, whose attention will be on the treats, and encourage her to come to you by using your recall word along with your novel sounds and happy talk.
    • Once she comes — and it may take some time — celebrate with an amazing party. Then retrieve the treats she left behind and reward her with them. This approach teaches her to leave the goodies for a better reward. She’ll also learn that she can still get the original treats afterward. This makes the recall even more exciting.

    Hint: Repeat the process, changing the items she’s leaving, throughout the week. You want your dog to stay focused and motivated, even around mild distractions.

    Step 7: Master the recall

    • To keep your recall reliable, you must continue to practice and change up the situations. Use your recall word during everyday situations, such as calling your dog inside from the yard or away from a favorite toy.
    • Practice in various locations and at different times of the day. Include settings with varying levels of activity. For example, you might call your dog during a quiet walk in the park. Reward her generously with treats, toys, or praise when she responds quickly, then let her go back to what she was doing.

    Knowing how to train your dog to come when called isn’t a skill you teach once and then forget. You need to regularly reinforce this behavior to keep it sharp. Practice consistently and make it rewarding. This teaches your dog that coming when called is always worth it, regardless of what’s going on around her.


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    Tonya Wilhelm is a dog training and cat care specialist who has traveled the US promoting positive ways of preventing and managing behavior issues with a holistic approach. Named one of the top ten dog trainers in the US, she has helped thousands build happy relationships with their dogs with humane, positive training methods. She wrote Proactive Puppy Care, and other books. Tonya offers group and private dog training classes, provides training and behavior services via phone and online, and does workshops at pet expos (raisingyourpetsnaturally.com).

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  • Reciprocate Your Dog for Making Your Life Whole | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” This beautiful quote by Roger Caras captures the unique role dogs play in enriching our existence. They do not define our entire being, yet their presence adds a priceless layer of joy, purpose, and connection. This bond invites us to reciprocate our dogs and give them a holistic lifestyle that nurtures every aspect of their well-being—physical, emotional, and mental. 

    The Heart of Wholeness

    Caras’s words remind us that dogs fulfill a special place in our lives, offering unconditional love and companionship that completes us. This relationship transcends mere ownership; it becomes a partnership where mutual care fosters fulfillment. Dogs teach us loyalty, empathy, and living in the moment—qualities that enhance our own sense of wholeness. Recognizing this deep connection encourages us to provide them the best care possible as a way of giving back — and holistic care is just that. 

    A Foundation for Wellness

    Holistic care moves beyond traditional check-ups and vaccinations. It embraces nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and dental health as interconnected pillars of vitality. Tailoring a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients supports immune function and longevity. Regular physical activity prevents obesity and nurtures mental health by releasing endorphins that reduce anxiety. Engaging your dog with puzzle toys or training sessions sharpens their mind, preventing behavioral issues born from boredom. Maintaining oral hygiene through brushing and professional cleanings safeguards overall health.

    Supporting the Whole Being

    Incorporating natural remedies complements conventional care. Herbal supplements, acupuncture, massage, and aromatherapy harness the body’s innate healing abilities. For example, calming music eases anxiety, while massage improves circulation and relaxation. Preventing parasites with natural options such as essential oils and diatomaceous earth reduces chemical exposure. These methods, combined with a nurturing environment and consistent routines, build resilience and promote long-term wellness.

    The best gift your dog deserves from you is holistic care. Choosing a holistic lifestyle for dogs honors the profound bond Caras describes. It transforms daily care into an act of love, enriching both your life and your dog’s. This approach fosters a balanced, joyful existence where health thrives naturally. As you nurture your dog’s body and spirit, you also cultivate your own sense of fulfillment and wholeness. Together, you create a shared journey marked by vitality, connection, and the simple pleasures of companionship. Keep enjoying those holistic hugs. 


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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