The Foster Dog Diaries
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

The Foster Dog Diaries

Join me in the triumphs and terrors that come along with welcoming an adolescent foster dog into your home.

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Should You Give Your Dog CBD?: What Little We Know About the Effect of CBD on Behavior Issues
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Should You Give Your Dog CBD?: What Little We Know About the Effect of CBD on Behavior Issues

In recent years, CBD has become increasingly popular as a natural remedy for a variety of human health conditions and many pet guardians are looking to CBD as a potential treatment for their dog’s anxiety and fear. In this blog, we examine some of the latest research investigating the effects of CBD on canine behavior problems including anxiety and aggression.

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Cooperative Care Training for Dogs: The Future of Enhanced Veterinary Experiences for Dogs
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Cooperative Care Training for Dogs: The Future of Enhanced Veterinary Experiences for Dogs

Cooperative care training is revolutionizing the way we interact with and care for our animal companions. This approach aims to prepare animals to willingly participate in various husbandry procedures. This blog post explores the concept of cooperative care training, its benefits for dogs, and highlights findings from a pilot study on the topic.

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Can Probiotics Help With Aggression and Separation Anxiety in Dogs?
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Can Probiotics Help With Aggression and Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Scientists are now beginning to understand the role of the gut-brain connection in mood, behavior, and immunity in humans and animals. As we learn more about the importance of a healthy gut biome on our brain function, medications, supplements, lifestyle, and food choices that could affect our gut health are all being examined for their potential to promote mental health. This article demonstrates the positive impact of the administration of a particular strain of probiotics on dogs with behavior problems.

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Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Separation anxiety is a serious behavioral disorder that affects millions of dogs worldwide. Learn how to spot the signs and more.

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Train Your Puppy to Walk Nicely on Leash
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Train Your Puppy to Walk Nicely on Leash

Especially when you own a big dog in a city with small streets, leash walking becomes a critical skill for many dogs. Follow these easy steps to teach your dog to walk alongside you rather than dragging you down the street from an early age.

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Don’t Ditch the Bag: Lessons in Leash Walking
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Don’t Ditch the Bag: Lessons in Leash Walking

It’s normal to find yourself counting down the days until your puppy receives their last round of shots and can walk freely on the sidewalk. We’re here to suggest you hold on to your puppy’s carrying bag for just a bit longer. It turns out carrying bags might be the answer to building fantastic leash-walking skills in a puppy. Let us tell you how!

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How to Utilize Enrichment and Exercise to Meet Your Dogs’ Needs
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

How to Utilize Enrichment and Exercise to Meet Your Dogs’ Needs

Many dogs lack the chance to perform species-specific behaviors on a regular basis. As a result, most dogs are experiencing boredom and frustration. Some may even develop behavior issues. In this blog, we recommend a few ways can mentally and physically stimulate your dog through a variety of enrichment and exercise practices. We call this “meeting your dogs’ needs.”

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Potty Training Your Puppy: A Quickstart Guide for Success
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Potty Training Your Puppy: A Quickstart Guide for Success

When bringing home a new puppy the first thing most guardians want to tackle is potty training. We have to agree that establishing a housebreaking routine from the beginning can save guardians a larger headache down the line. Check out our tips below to get your puppy started on the path to house training success!

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Puppy Nipping: Living with a Furry Piranha
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Puppy Nipping: Living with a Furry Piranha

Puppy nipping may have you feeling like you’re living with a furry piranha. Whether it’s mouthing your hands or pulling at your hair, we know how frustrating this can be! Check out our training and management tips for dealing with puppy mouthing.

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Recommendations for Dog Training Supplies
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Recommendations for Dog Training Supplies

First off, you don’t really need much to start working on training simple skills. But, let’s face it, a lot of us need all the help we can get. We’ve compiled a list of supplies that can help you get a jumpstart on your dog training experience. 

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Is There Anything Cuter Than A Snowy Snout? Keeping Your Dog Safe and Comfortable in Cold Weather
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Is There Anything Cuter Than A Snowy Snout? Keeping Your Dog Safe and Comfortable in Cold Weather

Looking for winter apparel recommendations that are going to keep your dog safe and comfortable in the snow? Have no fear, we have collected a list of our favorites for you! From coats to booties, we’ve got you covered. We also included some tips for preparing your dogs for the dressing process to ensure that it runs smoothly when the time comes.

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Bringing Home Puppy
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Bringing Home Puppy

Bringing home a puppy for the first time can be daunting! We’re here to ease some of that stress. We’ve compiled a list of supplies that can help you transition your puppy into your home.

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Dear Dog It’s Us… and Paws for Thought
Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought Maddie Messina, Founder of Paws for Thought

Dear Dog It’s Us… and Paws for Thought

Founder, Maddie Messina joins Ali and Betsy from Dear Dog It’s Us on their podcast to discuss her Master’s thesis work and dog training.

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