~ By Heidi Dahms Foster ~
If you have a dog, it’s a good bet you are always looking for ways to help your pet stay healthy, happy and free of behavior problems. You might not have time to read a library of books on all things dog, but there is one excellent publication that offers shorter but meaty reads on a number of canine subjects.
Whole Dog Journal is a longtime magazine publication that for many years has offered the latest in-depth news on everything from training and behavior to pet food and health care. Great writing and photos offer practical instruction on basic training – sit, stay, down, walking on a leash, proper behavior around people and other dogs, and the one thing that can literally save your dog’s life, a fail-safe recall on command.
Whole Dog Journal doesn’t stop there. It examines in-depth such varied subjects as the best dog toys for every kind of dog, the right dog beds, teaching your dog to relax around bees, children and other dogs, and effective habits for dog owners, to name just a few.
The magazine also delves in depth into subjects that deeply concern dog owners, such as the burgeoning problem of cancer, offering information and the latest treatment options. That alone makes the magazine worthwhile, but perhaps the most outstanding thing that makes Whole Dog Journal immensely valuable is its information on nutrition, and its annual lists of excellent wet and dry dog foods.
The dog food debate has exploded in the past couple of decades, and that’s a good thing. Dog food has improved, and so has the health of our pets. But navigating the possibilities and making sure pets are getting the best foods can be overwhelming. What’s best? Raw, dried, canned, cooked, or dehydrated? If you buy prepared food, which brands are the best, and which ones should you avoid?
Whole Dog Journal does not accept advertising, and has strict criteria to create its list of the healthiest wet and dry goods. Since 1998, Whole Dog Journal has published an annual review and rating of dry and wet dog foods.
The lists include what ingredients should be in your dog’s food, what ingredients to avoid, cost, and consideration of special needs such as activity level, growth, age, environment, illness, reproduction, altered dogs, and more. The list is new each year, so newer companies that are working to craft the best dog foods are included.
A newer feature of Whole Dog Journal is its annual list of the Best Dog Gear. The list for 2024 includes reviews on such items as the Mighty Paw Smart Bell, a housebreaking aid; SeaDent, an oral supplement that aids dental health and fresh breath; the Voyager K9 Winter Coat breed specific dog coats; the Handle, a leash alternative; and the Bully Grip bully stick holder that keeps dogs from swallowing the end of their bully stick, which can be a choking hazard.
Additionally, a subscription to Whole Dog Journal, either print or digital, includes short tips emailed to your inbox, access to years of archived articles, and a wealth of information on its website. Treat yourself to a subscription of this excellent resource for $20 annually at whole-dog-journal.com.
