Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not occasionally embarrassed or downright disgusted by some of their habits. From rear-sniffing to rolling in anything with a repulsive smell, nothing seems to be quite as offensive to dog lovers as coprophagia—that is, eating poop.

It’s a fact: pets are expensive. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), it is estimated that pet owners will spend $72 billion on their pets in 2018. That number includes expenses such as food, medication, supplies, and veterinary care—and if your pet is insured, you could get a significant portion of those out-of-pocket costs covered.

Have you ever held a dog toy in front of a puppy and let him “mouth” it? As you’ve probably noticed, puppies will put their mouth on most anything, and it’s completely normal since they use their teeth to explore the world around them and play with one another.

In fact, if you’ve watched puppies in a litter with their littermates, you’ll see that they climb all over one another and nip each other in an ongoing bout of exploration. When they’re a few weeks old, this can seem harmless, maybe even cute -- until one of those sharp teeth nips your hand a little too hard!

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S every single year. The majority of dog bite victims are children. In addition, children are most often bitten during everyday interaction with dogs that they know. As responsible pet owners, and to those who are parents to small children, it is important to take every preventative measure possible to avoid anyone from being harmed.

At most veterinary hospitals, puppy visits generally end around 4 months of age, and for many dogs this means that we will not be examining them or reviewing their health care needs until they are 12-16 months old. Dogs that come from shelters or rescue groups often have been surgically altered before they are adopted.

Happy and well-adjusted puppies are friendly and playful. However, puppies who haven't been well-socialized may become fearful and exhibit aggressiveness as a form of self-defense. If you've ever met a dog who's scared of the everyone and everything, you know that is not a pleasant experience for anyone, and in fact, behavior problems are one of the biggest reasons dogs are relinquished to shelters.

Congratulations on your new puppy! Exuberant puppies are so fun.

24 hours in and you’re recognizing your new responsibilities. Gulp! Whether your new puppy is a long discussed favorite breed or an adopted mix, a little prep will make this transition easier so you have more fun.

Every child at some point begs their parents for a puppy. As a parent, we can’t help but think of all of the added chores and financial obligations that come with owning a pet. But did you know it can actually benefit the health and development of your kids? Here are a few very important reasons why you should consider owning a dog.