With summer fully upon us, many of us are spending more time outdoors. Some of us may even be entertaining thoughts of beginning a new exercise routine.

The unspoken rule is don’t set yourself up to fail. Having a partner for your new endeavors can make a huge difference … but it has to be the right partner. The proposition to just beg off, to postpone until tomorrow, or ‘nah, let’s just go for a coffee instead’ – these statements are murder on any good intentions you may have towards making any real progress.

On the other hand, having a dedicated collaborator for these new activities can go a long way towards your long-term success. Especially if your exercise partner is someone who won’t ask you to procrastinate. How many of your friends could make that claim … that they’ll never, ever be negative and will always go with you, no matter the time of day? Probably not too many. Which is exactly why Dr. Sarah thinks someone already living in your home – namely, your canine companion – could make for one ‘Grade A’ exercise partner.

If you’re serious about getting healthy, don’t miss Dr. Sarah’s six vital steps for starting and maintaining an exercise routine with your dog.

Watch the latest episode of Pet Talk now, and check back next month for another brand new show.

We love our companion animals. But sometimes their actions are mystifying, if not altogether baffling. Fortunately, our own Dr. Jane is on-hand to offer some rationale behind some of the most perplexing pet behaviors. More...

Recent estimates put the number of dogs suffering from joint disease and chronic pain at nearly ten million, a significant percentage of the population. And, with more and more senior pet kids in American homes, those numbers are likely to remain high. Fortunately, veterinarians have adopted a treatment previously used only for humans, and it’s one that is dramatically improving the quality of life for pet patients. In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah explains how laser therapy offers a ray of hope for dogs and cats dealing with the pain associated with degenerative joint disease. Be sure to share this important message on alternative therapies with your fellow pet parents!

If you’ve ever noticed a foul odor wafting from your pet’s hind end, there's a chance that anal sacs may be the source of the problem. As any pet parent will tell you, nothing smells as uniquely terrible as the material emitted from these glands. More...

Pet parents postpone annual health exams for their dogs and cats for all manner of reasons. For some, it’s a fear of what your veterinarian will find during the examination. Others worry about the expense of the exam itself. And some seek only to avoid the stress a vet visit causes their pet kids. Regardless of the rationales behind not going in, the benefits far outweigh the more immediate costs of inaction.

The advantages of a yearly check-up are so vital, Dr. Sarah has devoted an entire episode of Pet Talk to the topic, providing all the motives why you shouldn’t put it off. In her clear and no-nonsense style, our good doctor walks you step-by-step through a typical annual wellbeing examination, revealing exactly what veterinarians are thinking when they’re investigating your pet kid’s health … and, why each step is vital to the long-term health and happiness of your companion animal.

Don’t miss this month’s episode of Pet Talk, and be sure to click on the ‘Email’ link to share this important message with friends and family!

Imagine walking down the road. Suddenly, you are confronted by a large, snarling dog heading directly for you. Try to imagine your level of fear. If you were once terrorized by a dog earlier in life, multiply that fright by a factor of ten. Your heart would race, your body would start to shake and your breathing would become shallow and rapid. These reactions are caused by a surge of hormones, such as adrenaline, often referred to as the ‘fight or flight response’. It’s how your body reacts to a perceived threat, and it’s totally normal. More...

This Golden Retriever pup loves watching televised sports, especially tennis. Here is a clip of him spectating and 'participating in' the Australian Open.

Have you ever wondered, "Why does my dog bow sometimes?" The answer is more complicated than you might think!

Dog bows serve as building blocks of dog communication and also have a physiological function in the stretching referred to as pandiculation. The reason behind each bow depends on when the dog engages in the behavior. Let’s talk about this unique form of stretching first.

Why do dogs bow?

• Dog bowing is most commonly expressed with what we refer to as the ‘play bow’. This common posture serves as a cornerstone of dog communication. Most often, it functions as an expression of ‘let's play!”
• It can signal an apologetic tone, such as, "Oops, I didn't mean to bite so hard. I wasn't trying to hurt you. Let's keep playing!”
• When two dogs meet for the first time, they may initiate interaction with play bows as a way of making friends.
• Sometimes as part of the mating ritual, canines will initially assume the play-bow position to communicate amorous intent.
• Dog bowing or stretching in the morning “wakes up” the muscular system, activating the connection between the brain and the muscles. 

Want to try something fun? Try doing your own version of the play bow to your dog, and watch your pup go from serious to goofball in a heartbeat. Use a silly voice, plop down and invite your dog to play - you will likely be delighted at your dog’s response!

If your dog invites you to play with a bow, accept the invitation! Chances are that you’ll boost her well-being, as well as yours, by simply engaging in purposeful play for only five minutes. It’s a great way to take a break from the day and begin a game of tug of war, tag or fetch.

Remember: if dogs are not properly socialized, they may not know how to respond to another dog’s play-bow invitation. Rather than responding in-kind, they may feel threatened and growl fearfully. If you witness any fearful or aggressive reactions, I recommend working with a professional dog trainer.

In this month’s episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reviews one of those I’ve-heard-mentioned-before-but-don’t-know-very-much-about canine health topics, Parvovirus. Sadly, with spring comes a seasonal increase in this potentially lethal disease, so you and your pup need to be prepared. Our staff veterinarian explains what the disease is, how it’s transmitted, tips about how to hinder its spread, symptoms to look out for, as well as what to do if your dog contracts this illness. And, be sure to watch the entire video, to learn how you can prevent your sweet pup from ever getting parvo. Thanks for watching this installment of Pet Talk, and check back next month for another brand new episode.

There's one rule in this house ... the dog is not allowed on the bed. What the pet parents couldn't figure out was, why was there so much dog hair on the bed every time they came home from work. So, clever people that they are, they set up a video camera to find out.

You can probably guess what comes next ... but not how much fun the pup has when breaking the rules.