When the architects at Studio Schickentanz undertook their latest project, they thought about how sustainability could fit into the picture … from a dog’s point of view.

Their canine cottage is high-design, a timber structure with an angled roof that boasts forward-thinking eco-friendliness!

The inside of the pint-sized house boasts a built-in floor drain and a solar-powered fan that keeps its canine occupant super comfortable on the hottest days. On the exterior, an easy-to-grip grassy ramp takes its pup resident to a green roof where a cool, motion-activated water fountain — it’s connected to an irrigation system! — ensures that no water is wasted.

Besides all the newfangled features, the house is stylish beyond belief! Built from wide, timber planks with a simple-but-impressive angled design, small windows allow natural light in and — because it’s still a dog house, after all — there’s a hidden drawer in which food and treats and toys can be kept

Why all the fuss over a dog house? This is one of several entries in the Carmel Canine Cottages Competition. Each of the entrants will be auctioned off – and all proceeds will go to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

A word about dog houses….

First off, we at LWD believe that dogs are INDOOR PETS! That said, it’s lovely when Fido can spend time enjoying fresh air out in the yard and if your pup enjoys him or herself out there, having a dog house can make that experience nicer by offering shade and shelter (or, in the case of some huskies we know, a snowy roof on which to happily nap in wintertime!). Here are some tips on what to think about when selecting a dog house for your pet:

-Does it have enough room? Your dog should be able to stand up, move around, and have access to water.
-Elevation, just slightly off the ground, can keep the house cooler in warmer weather and warmer when the ground is frozen.
-Light colors: these reflect sun and therefore heat, keeping the structure more comfortable.

Dog owners looking to rent are accustomed to dealing with “no pets allowed” policies, but a new multi-family building in Denmark is turning that idea on its ear. The builders of “Hundehuset: (the Dog House) are constructing an 18-apartment property where dog ownership is required!

“There is demand from some dog owners who are tired of there being so many places where dogs are not allowed,” said entrepreneur Niels Martin Viuff, the builder of the living spaces, according to The Local.

Hundehuset is now beig built in the Frederikssund Municipality on the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark.

“We want to meet the needs of dog owners. Many are very lonely,” Viuff reportedly said.

Not surprisingly, the Danish Kennel Club, the nation’s largest association for dog owners, is a proponent of this dog-friendly multifamily model.

“This is super exciting, it’s innovative, and we look forward to following progress and seeing how the project develops,” Lise Lotte Christensen, the organization’s behavior consultant said, The Local reported.

Christensen, the piece said, played a role in the apartments’ design process, with dog-forward suggestions that included the installation of stronger flooring and an area in the garden where the pups can bathe.

“Dogs wear things out, they have their outdoor shoes on all year round. They don’t take their shoes off in the hallway,” Christensen said.

The apartments, however, won’t be able to accommodate all dog owners as there is a maximum weight of 99 pounds per animal. Viuff said that potential tenants would be required to bring their dogs to see him before signing rental contracts.

“We will be avoiding the largest breeds, so [the apartments] won’t be crowded with dogs. But if you have small dogs, more than one is fine,” Viuff said.

Cat people need not get their whiskers in a bunch, though. Feline residents will be welcomed, as well. In fact, a similar complex with a focus on kitty-cats is in the works, according to the report.

Flatworms always fascinated me in high school science classes. Students would bisect them and observe the two parts not only go about their business unaffected, but later become two distinct worms. A worm in a lab is one thing; thinking about them inside your dog is somewhat less agreeable. Tapeworms in dogs are parasitic flatworms that grow to maturity inside a dog’s small intestine.

In limited numbers, tapeworms are one of the least harmful parasites a dog can have; indeed, symptoms can be difficult to discern. Tapeworm in puppies can be more serious, since puppies with tapeworms may experience problems putting on weight. Fortunately, tapeworms in dogs are easy to treat, and controlling their primary modes of transmission, fleas and raw meat, should make prevention relatively simple.

How do dogs get worms?

There are two major kinds of tapeworms in dogs. The less common variety, Taenia serialis, gestates inside animals like rabbits, various rodents and sheep. Dogs that come across an infected animal and dine upon their flesh ingest the larval Taenia worms, which then grow to maturity inside the dog. The much more common tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, is what we’ll focus on here. These tapeworms are similar in requiring an intermediate host, in this case, fleas. An infected animal releases tapeworm segments or eggs in its feces. Fleas ingest the eggs which grow inside of them to a larval stage. These fleas find their way to the nearest dog.

During regular grooming, of course, a dog not only scratches, but licks and chews at herself. On occasion, a dog will ingest an infected flea. Tapeworm larvae travel the digestive tract before attaching the hooks of their scolex to the dog’s small intestine, where they grow by absorbing nutrients through their skin. Adult tapeworms in dogs can be anywhere from four to 28 inches long. Each segment of the tapeworm is filled with eggs. Periodically, segments break off, to be released in the dog’s feces so that the cycle may start afresh.

Tapeworm symptoms in dogs

It can be difficult to know whether a dog has tapeworms. Unlike other parasitic infestations, such as heartworm, mange or ear mites, which have clear and obvious external calling cards, tapeworm symptoms are somewhat more subtle. More worms, more problems, of course, and, left unchecked, a dog with many tapeworms may begin losing weight. They may also present problems for neglected or malnourished dogs, older dogs, puppies and dogs with compromised immune systems.

That said, there are some tapeworm symptoms that you can look out for. The first would be scooting, best defined as what you see when a dog slides her butt across the ground or the floor. There are several reasons a dog may drag her rear against the ground, so a closer look may be required. To be ingested by fleas, tapeworm eggs must be very small indeed, but tapeworm segments are visible to the naked eye. Like other broken flatworms, segments that emerge in fresh feces may still move under their own power. These segments, white at first, and turning a golden color once dry, resemble grains of rice. These segments may also be seen on or around the dog’s anus after defecation. A stool sample containing such a segment can be diagnosed quickly by a veterinarian.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs

Fortunately, how to get rid of tapeworms in dogs is simple once the problem has been determined. The scolex, the head of the tapeworm, is the source of its power. To eliminate the infestation, the head of the tapeworm must be destroyed. Segments that emerge in feces or appear around the anus do not affect the tapeworm itself, which grows further reproductive segments.

In some cases, the scolex of a tapeworm may become dislodged from the intestine. The worm may pass whole in the dog’s feces, or be vomited out. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, veterinarians can administer, either orally or by injection, medications like niclosamide and praziquantel. Both are safe and effective, and unless there is a serious infestation, the tapeworms will dissolve before they’re even passed in feces. Those medications are also available at pet stores in over-the-counter forms.

Can humans get tapeworms from dogs?

Tapeworms are not technically zoonotic, though yes, humans can get tapeworms from dogs. It’s going to sound weird, and kind of foul, but ingesting a flea from an infected dog can lead to a person getting a tapeworm. It is not likely, but during times of the year when fleas are prevalent, it’s possible. For Taenia tapeworms, you’d have to eat uncooked or undercooked rabbits, rodents or sheep. Again, not likely, but possible.

Tapeworm prevention for dogs

Just to be clear, though both Dipylidium and Taenia tapeworm eggs are distributed in dog feces, dogs cannot get tapeworm from eating poop. The former can only be acquired from ingesting infected fleas, and the latter from eating infected raw meat. Tapeworm eggs are like caviar to fleas, so, in order to prevent the most common tapeworms in dogs, flea prevention should be at the top of your to-do list.

Be vigilant! Achieving an effective and decisive victory against tapeworms in dogs is a battle won, but the struggle continues. Even a dog recently cured of tapeworm infestation needs to ingest only one flea for tapeworms to return. Has your dog dealt with tapeworms in the past? How did you and your dog handle the invading parasites? Share your experiences with tapeworm in the comments!

Thumbnail: Photography via Shutterstock.

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We have a furry new addition to our family, a French Bulldog named Louie. Louie and I made it through bath time unscathed. We finished with a brisk towel dry and a spritz of kiwi-scented dog cologne. When I had my first dog, Lulu, dog grooming was a little more basic. With Louie, there are a lot more than flea and tick shampoos at my disposal. The lineup now includes detangling sprays, leave-in conditioners, and — I kid you not — doggie hair gel. But all those fancy products fail to help many of us overcome one major hurdle: when dogs hate baths like Lulu did.

Lulu used to be a handful at bath time. She would run, hide and wail, leaving me with a house that smelled of wet dog. For examples of similar doggie drama, search “dogs who hate bath time” on YouTube.

Fortunately, it’s never too late to introduce good habits — even if your dog hates baths. Professional dog trainer Mario Bardouille has spent the past 18 years specializing in behavior modification. He shares five common mistakes dog owners make during bath time.

1. Stressing the dog out before you even reach the tub

Don’t rush through bath time. Dogs respond to your energy and work to please you, so be patient and focus on creating a positive experience. Start with brushing your dog’s coat regularly. Include plenty of praise — as well as treats — for good behavior. Gradually build toward milestones such as entering the bathroom and actually stepping inside the tub. It may take time, but Bardouille says your dog eventually will understand that baths can be a comfortable, happy and rewarding experience.

2. Avoiding dental care

Brushing a squirming dog’s teeth can be a pain. That’s why so many people skip dog dental care, which can lead to costly health issues down the road. “Turn grooming, particularly dental care, into a fun experience,” says Bardouille. “Help the dog understand that this isn’t going to be so bad.” He suggests investing in flavored toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. Toothpaste made for people can be toxic to dogs, so shop at pet supply stores for this grooming item. (He’s partial to a beef-flavored version from Petsmile that doesn’t require the use of a brush.) Start slowly, encouraging your dog to approach and sniff the tube or applicator.

“We’re conditioning good behavior,” he says. “Let the dog follow it with his nose, introducing that sensory factor. Then rub it on his lip and actually put it in his mouth. Make the dog want to show interest rather than pulling away. When that happens, they get the reward, which is the toothpaste. Make that behavior a conditioned thing where you do it every morning. Turn that into your morning routine so the dog understands that this is something they do before they get their food or after their morning walk. Before you know it, your dog will be sitting and doing obedience.”

3. Neglecting touch-ups between baths

Once dogs return from their daily walk, Bardouille recommends that you wipe paws as well as their private areas with baby wipes or an old washcloth. These regular touch-ups keep the funk at bay between baths and help dogs grow more accustomed to regular grooming.

“French Bulldogs or English Bulldogs — they are a little bit lower — so when they are walking, they splash things up,” he says of short-statured dogs. “Wipe their armpits, stomach and private areas; that actually makes a big difference in the odor.”

Also, don’t forget to wipe those wrinkles and eye areas, which can accumulate lots of gunk.

4. Freaking out during nail trims

“You have to learn how far to go with your dogs,” Bardouille says. “Some dogs’ quicks (nail tips) are a little bit longer. Look at the base underneath the dog’s foot. Even on a dark nail, you can see the excess nail where it kind of hooks.”

Even with great care, accidents do happen. During a routine nail trim, you may go a little too far and cut the dog’s quick, causing bleeding. Bardouille says don’t panic. Keep a container of styptic powder in your doggie first aid kit to stop the bleeding. Then return to the task, taking things slowly and snipping a bit at a time. Let go of the dog’s paw when you notice him getting uncomfortable, and end on a positive note with plenty of praise.

5. Forgetting that repetition is key

Work on developing good habits, including regular brushing, so that the dog is conditioned to enjoy this bonding time. Before you know it, Bardouille says your dog will be sitting still during bath time.

I’m certainly putting his advice into practice. After that first drama-free bath, my nephew rewarded Louie with treats and plenty of cuddle time to celebrate a job well done. We’re off to a good start.

About the author: Morieka Johnson lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, two stepdaughters and Louie, their high-energy puppy. She enjoys writing about dog health, toys, and training. Morieka shares more of their exploits on SoulPup.com.

Thumbnail: Photography by Ashleigh Wells Photography/Thinkstock. 

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I live with three dogs and four cats. For the most part, it’s a peaceable kingdom. So what if the cats sleep in the dog beds or if my dogs think that mouse toys are meant to be shredded. The joys of living with both dogs and cats outweigh the small challenges of an interspecies household. Except for the part about the dogs eating the “snacks” they steal from the cats’ litter boxes. In case that’s not clear, I mean that I’m dealing with a dog eating cat poop out of the litter box.

Dogs Eating Cat Poop — My Story

My dogs must think it awfully nice of the resident felines to consistently leave these gifts in their boxes. Darned if my dogs don’t feast on feces and come right over to me with poo-poo breath and want to kiss my face.

Talk about potty mouth. I had to figure out a way to stop my dogs from eating cat poop.

Experts say you should have one more litter box than you have cats. So four cats means we have five litter boxes in our home. All are in rooms with closable doors: in bathrooms, the basement, and one in my son’s room where one cat spends most of her time.

Things We Tried to Keep the Dogs Out of Litter Boxes

At first, to keep the dogs out, we used a combination of door stops and braces. I put a brick or other heavy object on the inside of a door to make it difficult to open. That meant every time humans left the bathroom, we had to perform an awkward combination of reaching around the door while pulling the brick toward us and simultaneously closing the door just the right amount so that a cat could fit in but a dog could not. It was not a practical or sustainable solution.

Then we tried using a combination bungee cord and make-shift door stop. It worked, but only for a little while.

For our terrier Tucker in particular, the cat poo was too much of a temptation. He learned how to barrel his way right into the bathrooms. It didn’t matter how heavy the barrier object was.

The dogs eating cat poop out of litter boxes continued.

We tried pressure-mounted baby gates, blocking off access to our laundry room and the bathroom where the most-used litter box was kept. The gate was secured about 5 inches off the ground, high enough for a cat and maybe a dog nose to go under, but not an entire dog.

That worked, kind of. The gate also prevented humans from coming and going easily. Every time we left the house, did our laundry, walked out the back door, or used the downstairs bathroom, we had to take down the gate and put it back up.

Eventually, we found a special door latch that my husband installed, drilling holes in the door and the jamb. The latch had a long metal hook that kept the door open just enough for a cat to fit through, but not for my dogs.

Experts also say animals like to work for their food, which is the thinking behind offering your dogs (and cats) food puzzles. Tucker took the latch setup as a conundrum to be solved. Which he did; he learned that if scratched and banged at the door long enough, he could dislodge the hook.

It was a game of constant one-upmanship.

If Your Dog is Eating Cat Poop, Change the Behavior

That’s when I realized that solving the problem wasn’t going to be simply about preventing access. I needed to address the behavioral issue.

Thus, I began to train my dogs to stay away from the litter. I reinforced the Leave It command — which they already knew — by putting a treat in front of them, and rewarding them with a better treat when they ignored it.

I also taught them the Wait command. A variation on Stay, Wait means don’t go past a certain point. A dog can sit, stand, even walk around, but not go beyond a doorway or a fence. In our case, I used it to keep the dogs out of the bathrooms when I cleaned the litter.

In the meantime, we made a special effort to keep the cat litter boxes very clean. We made sure to empty them of potential treats before we left the house, as our smart little terrier had figured out he had a better chance of getting away with a successful poop retrieval mission while we were away.

In addition, I began exercising the dogs more before we left, keeping them busy and active. I also give my dogs a small snack right before we walk out the door. This combination means they are more likely to sleep, and less likely to perpetrate eating the cat poop.

Then I found a door latch that Tucker isn’t able to bang open. The Door Buddy (I received a free sample, but was not paid to write about it) allows doors to stay open just the right amount. They’re adjustable, inexpensive, and can be installed without tools. I now have one on every door that protects a litter box.

Eventually, we were able to stop using the gate, and just relied on the Door Buddies. Every once in awhile, one of our dogs manages to find and consume a cat poo; usually it’s due to someone forgetting to latch the door.

But for the most part, I can enjoy doggy kisses once more, without worrying too much about what my dogs have been snacking on.

Except when one of the cats barfs. We’re still working on that…

Tips to keep a dog out of the litter box:

• Teach your dog the Leave It command to stop him from eating the poop.
• Teach your dog the Drop It command, in case you’re a little too late, and she’s already got a cat poop in her mouth.
• Teach your dog Wait, and don’t allow him into the litter box areas, especially while you’re cleaning them.
• When you’re at home, keep your dog busy and active, so she won’t get bored and thus more likely to look for trouble.
• Make sure litter boxes are clean, particularly before you leave home.
• Consider using gates or a latch like the Door Buddy. Two others I have found are the Peek a Boo (that’s the one I started with) and the Latch’nVent.
• Don’t punish your dog if he eats poop; use only positive reinforcement in your training.
• While some people use litter boxes with covers as a way to prevent dog snacking, it isn’t an optimal solution. Many cats don’t like to be enclosed while they’re taking care of business. Particularly in multi-cat households, cats like to be able to see what (and who) is around them, and to feel safe when they are at their most vulnerable. Plus, it smells pretty bad inside a covered litter box, which must be awful for those sensitive little kitty noses.
• If possible, put the litter boxes up high, where a cat can go, but a dog cannot.
• A somewhat expensive solution is to use a cat door that allows the cat into a room, but not your dog. Doors made for indoor use are available; they use a pet’s microchip to open it, thus controlling access if you have a small dog that is similar in size to your cat.
• Experiment with several different combinations of blockade solutions to see what works best for you and your pets, but make sure you use positive training techniques as well.

Tell us: Is your dog eating cat poop? What have you tried to keep your dog out of the litter box?

Read more about cats and dogs on Dogster.com:

About the author: Susan C. Willett is a writer, photographer, and blogger whose award-winning original stories, photography, poetry, and humor can be found on the website Life With Dogs and Cats. She lives in New Jersey with four shelter cats (including Calvin T. Katz, the Most Interesting Cat in the World) and three dogs (all rescues) and at least a couple of humans — all of whom provide inspiration for her work. In addition to Life With Dogs and Cats, you can find more Lilah, Jasper, and Tucker (and the rest of the gang) on Haiku by Dog™, Haiku by Cat™, and Dogs and Cats Texting™.

If you have spent any time watching the placid and soothing spectacle of sleeping dogs, you may have also borne witness to more active periods of sleep. A dog’s legs might twitch, a tail may involuntarily wag, or a muted yip, yelp or bark might emerge from a sleeping dog’s mouth. Do dogs dream? Questioning whether dogs dream, and, beyond that, the nature of those dreams, is not wholly frivolous. These kinds of speculative questions lead scientists at top research universities to breakthroughs in understanding pressing issues about human health.

Indeed, the start of the 21st century has seen foundational research performed and published in the fields of neuroscience and psychology on the existence and impact of dreams on animal cognition. From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to the University of British Columbia, research into the dreams of animals has proved useful in advancing our understanding of complex and difficult human disorders such as Alzheimer’s and insomnia, as well as broader concerns with memory and learning.

Let’s look at some of the facts about dog dreams:

Do dogs dream?

The evidence of these studies shows that many animals — humans, rats, dogs, cats, and even some birds — share similarities in brain structure and in patterns of electrical activity within the brain, both awake and asleep. This suggests that not only do dogs dream, but it’s almost certain that dog dreams, like our own, not only replay the events of the day, but also allow them to process what they learn.

Analogous portions of brain architecture that produce visual images and create memories seem to have similar functions across most mammal species. This includes the pons in the brainstem, which has, among its functions, the capacity to restrict physical movement while we sleep. Sleeping dogs who are seen to twitch or whimper as they dream are no different than humans rolling over or muttering incoherently in their sleep. In rats, scientists have effectively inhibited or altered the pons and seen full somnambulatory episodes play out during dream states.

Dreams begin within 20 minutes for sleeping dogs. They seem to differ in length and number depending on factors ranging from a dog’s size to his age. Small dog breeds, for example, tend to have shorter and more frequent dreams per sleep cycle. Large dog breeds, on the other hand, tend to have dreams that are greater in length, but fewer in quantity. Regardless of size, puppies, who are still learning about the world they inhabit, tend to have more dreams on average than adult and senior dogs.

What dogs dream about

Unfortunately, we may never truly know the precise content of a dreaming dog’s nocturnal reveries. Despite this lingering uncertainty, scientific research has provided some enticing suggestions. MIT’s studies on dreams in rats have shown that nearly identical brain activity occurs when these rodents are dreaming and when they are running through mazes.

Since humans also dream about their typical daily activities, it is safe to assume that when dogs dream, those dreams mine the same material. In other words, dogs dream about normal dog stuff: chasing after the family cat, barking at the person who delivers the mail, the taste of the kibble she had for dinner, the location of that bone she buried a week ago, or the sound and sensation of playing with her favorite squeak toy.

Do dogs have nightmares?

It follows, from our curiosity about dog dreams and what they may contain, to ask whether dogs also have bad dreams. Why not? If dogs have dreams that utilize the same parts of the brain and prompt the same kinds of muscle twitches and half-formed vocalizations as humans, then surely the content of those dreams must vary from the comforting to the frightening.

Dog nightmares are probably less abstract and more concrete than our own, and more likely to revolve around real dangers they’ve experienced. I’ve yet to see a film like Child’s Play II or Hellraiser II written and directed by a dog, or even a small team of enterprising dogs, so I can only hope that dog nightmares are less grotesque than human ones.

Do dogs have wet dreams?

To be sure, this is a prurient and lascivious question to ask, especially about something as lovely as sleeping dogs and their dreams. It has been asked, though, and should be addressed. When I came across the question, I was reminded of that episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in which Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi discuss — in graphic detail — the contents of their grandmothers’ erotic dream journals.

In the same way that dogs are just as likely to have nightmares as humans are, so too is it at least conceivable that a dog’s resting mind may invent sexually satisfying scenarios. Perhaps in the future, studies will be carried out that compare the dreams of dogs who have been spayed and neutered with those who are encouraged to breed.

Can dog dreams be lucid dreams?

One question I’ve not seen commonly asked in relation to whether dogs dream concerns the phenomenon of lucid dreaming. You may have heard of it, either in the normal course of reading stuff on the Internet, or, like myself, through Queensrÿche’s seminal 1991 radio hit, “Silent Lucidity.” Coincidentally, that is my go-to song on karaoke nights at the Pinhook.

Lucid dreaming is the practice of learning to recognize a dream as it happens in an attempt to exert control over the dreamscape. Rather than simply having a dream where you’re flying, you choose to fly when you realize you’re dreaming.

Can dogs fly in their dreams? Do robot dogs dream of chasing electric cats? What do you imagine your dogs dream about at night or as they nap during the day? Let us know in the comments!

Thumbnail: Photography by Shutterstock.

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It’s officially autumn and there are tons of fun October 2017 dog events to check out. See some of our favorites below. (Note: Please confirm all dates and times with the event holder as dates and times sometimes change.)

Tuesday, October 3 — Thursday, October 5: 5th Annual IBSPA Annual Conference

The International Boarding & Pet Services Association is holding this year’s convention in Jacksonville, Florida. If you can get there early, there will be pre-conference workshops on October 1 and October 2. For information on speaker line-up, sessions and more, go to petcareconference.com.

Wednesday: October 4: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Fairview, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to Elm Animal Rescue. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 7: Glow in the Park — A Walk for the Animals

Join Seattle Humane for its annual evening dog walk at Green Lake Park in Seattle, Washington. This year’s event benefits its Disaster and Life-Saver Rescue funds. Get in on the fun for a good cause and check out the food trucks, music, adoptable pets and glow-in-the-dark surprises.

Monday, October 9: Pups On the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Carrollton, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to the Denton Animal Shelter. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, October 10: The Dog Lover Unit

We all know they are out there — those brave cops in fur who protect and serve around the world. Now you can read all about them in The Dog Lover Unit: Lessons in Courage from the World’s K9 Cops, written by acclaimed poet-turned-author Rachel Rose and out today from St. Martin’s Press.

Wednesday, October 11: 10th Annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Survey

Help Dogster’s own Dr. Ernie Ward in the fight against pet obesity by taking some time to talk about your dog. On National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention will conduct its 10th Annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Survey. Interested? Check out pet obesityprevention.org.

Wednesday, October 11: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to Canine Companions for Independence. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday: October 14: RescueMe 5K

Get running to the 3rd annual RescueMe 5K benefitting the American Pit Bull Foundation’s Operation Sidekick and taking place at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. This great program provides rescued service dogs to veterans with PTSD. Besides the great exercise, there will be vendors with lots of food and beer, plus games and more. You and your dog will get some goodies too, your dog gets a souvenir bandana and you will get a t-shirt, beer and souvenir cup. Kicks off at 9 a.m. for runners and walkers. For more information, go to americanpitbullfoundation.com.

Sunday, October 15: 4th Annual National Dog Show Charity Walk

Wilson Farm Park in Wayne, Pennsylvania is the place to be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The 4th Annual National Dog Show Charity Walk benefits seven different Delaware Valley charities, plus has lots of things to see and do for adults, children and furry family members. Attractions include exhibitors, canine demonstrations, games and prizes for pets and pet parents.

Sunday, October 15th: Shelter Hope Pet Shop’s Pet Appreciation Day

You and your dog can catch the wave — on the wave machine that lets dogs surf, plus see tons of adorable animals, listen to great adoption stories and even get a smooch from a pooch at the dog kissing booth when you celebrate Pet Appreciation Day with Shelter Hope Pet Sho
p in Thousand Oaks. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Janss Marketplace. Visit shelterhopepetshop.org for more information.

 

Monday, October 16: Pups on the Patio

Get over to White Rock Cane Rosso restaurant
in Dallas, Texas fora fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Ros
so and 100 percent will be donated to the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, October 18 — Saturday, October 21: APDT Annual Conference

Calling all professional dog trainers to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers’ 2017 Conference in Richmond, Virginia! There, you’ll find plenty of speakers, classes, peer-to-peer sharing and networking opportunities. For more information, go to apdt.com.

Wednesday: October 18: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to PAWS for Irving Animals. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 21: 27th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

Scamper down to the 27th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in the Alphabet City neighborhood of New York, New York. Be a spectator, or show up with your dog in costume and compete for prizes. Event runs from 12 to 3 p.m. Runway competition starts at noon with parade following after. All you need to know is at tompkinssquaredogrun.com.

Saturday, October 21 — Tuesday, October 24: AHVMA Annual Conference

If you’re a veterinarian, you don’t want to miss the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association’s 2017 Annual Conference in San Diego, California. Check out the schedule, which is filled with classes and speakers at ahvma.org/conference-schedule.

Saturday, October 21: 8th Annual Dogtoberfest

Heist Brewery in NoDa (Charlotte, North Carolina), is going to the dogs! Hosted by Foster for Dog Days of Charlotte, the event will include a costume contest, live music by Nate Randall, adoptable dogs, vendors and more. Event starts at 2 p.m. Go here for more details.

 

Monday, October 23: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Fairview, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to the DFW Pug Rescue Club. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, October 24: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Carrollton, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to Operation Kindness. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday: October 25: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Fairview, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage
and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to the Texas GSP Rescue. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, October 25: Pups on the Patio

Get over to Cane Rosso restaurant in Carrollton, Texas for a fun night of pizza, patio and pet adoptions. For $10, you get an adult beverage and a discount on dog-inspired pies. Ticket sales will be matched by Cane Rosso and 100 percent will be donated to the Cane Rosso Rescue. Event goes from 6 to 9 p.m.

 

Sunday, October 29: Barktoberfest 2017

It’s a fun day for dogs and their humans in North Carolina’s Durham Central Park. Come meet other dog lovers and their pups from 12 to 4 p.m. Event put on by Beyond Fences.

Stay tuned for more from Executive Editor Melissa L. Kauffman on Dogster.com’s Dug Up at Dogster column and on social media with #DogUpatDogster.