Summer makes dog ownership feel a little easier. The days are longer. The walks feel less rushed. The yard gets more use. The dog who spent winter staring out the window suddenly has more smells, more movement, and more reasons to be interested in the world again. But warm weather also changes the walk. A normal afternoon route can become too much. A quick errand with the dog in the car can become dangerous. A sidewalk that looks harmless can be hard on paws. And a dog who wants to keep going...

It is normal for dogs to lick their paws once in a while. They clean themselves. They come in from the yard with dirt on their feet. They settle down and fuss over a paw for a moment, then move on. What is not normal is frequent, intense licking that keeps happening day after day, especially when the paws start to look red, irritated, or sore. According to AKC, occasional paw licking can be ordinary grooming, but persistent licking usually points to an underlying problem. Here are six of the...

Spring is finally here. The days are longer, the air feels better, and most dogs are more than ready to spend more time outside. For dog owners, that is one of the best parts of the season. But spring also brings a few hazards that are easy to miss. Warmer weather means more bugs, more pollen, more yard work, and more chances for dogs to get into something they should not. A little awareness now can save you a lot of trouble later. Here are seven spring risks worth watching. 1. Seasonal...