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When you’re out enjoying a walk or relaxing in the yard, a bee sting can happen in an instant—and for dog owners, it can be a scary experience. The good news is that most bee stings are minor and can be managed at home if you know what to look for and how to respond. Dogs are naturally curious, which often leads them to sniff or snap at buzzing insects. Because of this, stings commonly occur on the face, muzzle, or paws. According to the Animal Emergency Service, the first th

Cancer in humans-and pets-can take an emotional as well as financial toll. But there is an organization that can help provide grants for pets with cancer. I interviewed Amanda from Fetch-A-Cure. A transcript is below the video. Hi, I'm Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and joining me today is Amanda from Fetch a Cure. Now, we've talked about the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center here in Roanoke. We've also talked with Jackson's owner, and he's a three-tim

Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis but it doesn't always have to be. I interview a Roanoke resident who's dog has had-and is now living-with cancer. A transcript is below the interview. Hi, I'm Beverly with the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and my guest today is Ashley Reichelmann from Roanoke. She is Jackson's owner, and Jackson is a pet-sitting client of ours. He is also a three-time cancer survivor, and we want to talk about their journey through cancer and how the An

Decades ago, we never heard of dogs dying from cancer, but now it's an almost everyday occurrence. But there is ground-breaking research going on right here in the Roanoke Valley. I spoke with Joanne Tuhey from the Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center about their work with cancer patients. A transcript follows the interview. Hi, it's Beverly with the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and my guest today is Dr. Joanne Tuohy. She is with the Virginia Tech Animal C

No one expected the pandemic or its aftermath. Many people were stuck at home and dog adoption skyrocketed during that time. But what was the affect of the pandemic on our pets? My interview is with Courtney Sexton, researcher at Virginia Tech. A transcript follows the video. Hi, it's Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care. Thanks for joining us today. And my guest is Courtney Sexton from the Virginia, Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. And we're going to tal

It's inevitable. . .our pets never live as long as we would like and they eventually pass from a disease, accident, or old age. How can we navigate the grief and keep our pet's memory alive? I conducted a video interview with Augusta O'Reilly, a clinical veterinary social worker. The transcript is below the video. Hi, it's Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care, and September is National Pet Memorial Month. Joining me today is Augusta O'Reilly, a licensed clinical ve

Dogs and cats are helping researchers learn about diseases such as cancer and how animals and humans go through the aging process. You can help researchers by enrolling your dog in the Dog Aging Project. In this video, I interview Harmony Diers from the Dog Aging Project about how pet owners can help researchers for free by just answering a few questions. The transcript is below the video. Hi, it's Beverly from the Well-Trained Dog and Pet Care. Glad you could join us today.

Winter can be a beautiful sight with snow on the trees, but it also comes with some dangers for our pets. Cold temperatures combined with sleet, freezing rain, or snow can create hazards for your pets. With a little planning and a few simple habits, you can help keep your dog safe, comfortable, and healthy all winter long. Watch the temperature, not the calendar. Just because your dog has fur doesn’t mean they’re built for cold weather. Small dogs, seniors, puppies, and dogs

Has your puppy or older dog ever suddenly just start running around the house or yard, being crazy like something was chasing it? You call or yell all you want and the dog ignores you like they can’t hear you and keeps running back and forth, sometimes bouncing off furniture? They’re officially called Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), but we just call them “zoomies” and they are a natural behavior for dogs. Why Dogs Get the Zoomies Zoomies are a natural way for dogs t

I often receive calls from potential clients who are having trouble potty training their puppies.  But in March of this year, I was...

Bringing a new puppy into your home is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. Puppies are bundles of energy, curiosity, and love, and having the right tools on hand can make your transition to pet parenthood much smoother. Here are five must-have items every new puppy owner needs: 1. A Crate That Fits Your Puppy A crate is more than just a place for your puppy to sleep—it’s a safe haven and an invaluable tool for house tra

The holidays are a great time to add to your family-whether it’s a puppy or an older dog.  Sometimes breeders have litters due just in time for Christmas and many rescues have adoption fairs to help empty their shelters for the year. Each dog is an individual and depending on their life experiences (being raised by a breeder, having a former family, living on the streets as a stray, etc.) can influence how they act in your home. Some dogs may be coming out of a stressful shel

Some people experience the "puppy blues" after getting their new puppy.

Three quick and easy ice cream recipes for your dogs.

In previous blog posts (see below) we’ve talked about why it’s important to keep all dogs on leash in public and what to do if you are...

All dogs will bite when provoked.  Some dogs like to chase and bite; it’s part of their prey drive.  Usually that can be directed toward...

If you have ever been attacked by an off leash dog, this scenario may seem all too familiar. One of my dog training clients and I were...

Ten or 15 years ago, Daleville was a sleepy little town 20 minutes north of Roanoke on Route 220. But over time, Daleville has grown to...

One of the easiest ways to have a happy, healthy dog is simply to walk.  It doesn’t have to be a long walk but as you’ll see in the...

When I chat with a potential dog training client, I explain that I am what’s called a “positive trainer”-that I use treats or toys or whatever the dog finds motivating-to develop the relationship between the dog and its family in a positive manner, rather than using an electric collar or putting them on their side. Another type of dog training is “traditional training” in which electric collars (sometimes called e-collars or shock collars) and prong collars may be used. It’s