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THE BARK BLOG
Pour a cup, grab a pup, and settle in.
We’ve got plenty to bark about.
READ THE LATEST POSTS
Why Does My Dog Have the Runs After a Run?
Gus came home from an eight-mile run feeling great and then produced something that looked like it came out of a garden hose. Here’s how to tell an ambitious weekend from a real problem.
6 min read
The Mystery of the Morning Puke
Your dog throws up a little yellow foam first thing in the morning, then happily eats breakfast like nothing happened. Is it because he’s hungry? Maybe. “Hunger pukes” can be associated with bilious vomiting syndrome, a pattern of recurrent bile vomiting in otherwise healthy dogs. Learn why it happens, what you can do about it, and how to tell the difference between an occasional hunger puke and vomiting that deserves a call to the vet.
7 min read
The English Shepherd
The English Shepherd isn't just another pretty herding dog. Learn what makes this intelligent, versatile farm dog unique — and what you need to know about temperament, exercise, cost, breeders and rescue before bringing one home.
10 min read
Stories, lessons, adventures, and everyday moments from life with Pike, Gus, and the dogs who inspire My Barking Life.
Why Does My Dog Have the Runs After a Run?
Gus came home from an eight-mile run feeling great and then produced something that looked like it came out of a garden hose. Here’s how to tell an ambitious weekend from a real problem.
6 min read
What's Happening Inside Your Dog's Brain
Your dog isn't giving you attitude. Their brain hijacked the wheel. Part 3 of Building Braver Dogs gets into what fear actually does inside a dog's head — and why "just get over it" was never going to work.
8 min read
Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait
Sit, stay, come — sure. But if I could give every dog just one thing, it wouldn't be a perfect command. It's the belief that they can handle whatever comes next. Here's what that looked like for Gus this month.
4 min read
The Heat Dome Is Back
Your dog's cooling system tops out fast in a heat dome, and it tops out faster than yours does. Here's the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, how to spot trouble before it's an emergency, what to do if it happens anyway, and how to keep him engaged, indoors and out, until the heat breaks.
7 min read
The real cost of responsible dog ownership
Adoption fees get all the attention, but they’re the smallest part of bringing home a dog. This post breaks down the real cost of responsible dog ownership — food, vet care, training, emergencies — and why “not yet” can be the most loving answer. Plus, how My Barking Life helps close financial gaps so more adoptions succeed.
7 min read
Why Confidence Building Matters More Than Obedience
A confident dog isn't fearless—they just believe they can handle whatever comes next. Here's what Gus's growth-spurt regression taught us about rebuilding trust, one rubber mat and one brave stranger at a time.
4 min read
Walking the Line
An off-leash dog, a scary few seconds, and a lot of feelings about who's actually responsible when a walk goes sideways. Spoiler: it's not the dog wearing the leash.
7 min read
Two Dogs, a Kia Soul, and a Week of Unexpected Adventures
We packed two adults, two dogs, and everything we needed into a Kia Soul for a week-long road trip to Kennerdell, Pennsylvania. Here's what we learned.
11 min read
Exploring dog breeds with curiosity, history, and a reminder that every dog is an individual.
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Exploring the world with our dogs. Come along!
Are We Ever Going to Be Able to Do the Trail?
We want to hike the Appalachian Trail with our dogs. Gus had other ideas, mostly involving pulling like a freight train. Here’s how our first trial run at Buckhorn Creek Trail went, and what it taught us.
4 min read
One Trail at a Time
We’d love to hike the Appalachian Trail someday. First, we had to find out whether Pike and Gus actually know how to hike. Squirrels, a pulling situation, and one bicycle that broke Pike’s brain all played a part.
7 min read
Gus Goes to Hilltop
Gus explores the former Hilltop Golf Course in Coshocton, Ohio, with Pike, testing his recall while navigating trails, wildlife, hills, and a new disc golf course.
6 min read
Making Room for More Wild
What happens when we make room for a little more adventure? Pike and Gus find out on the first Day Trippin’ with Dogs adventure at beautiful Clary Gardens in Coshocton, Ohio.
5 min read
We take a look at the insanely weird topics dog owners can relate to.
The Mystery of the Morning Puke
Your dog throws up a little yellow foam first thing in the morning, then happily eats breakfast like nothing happened. Is it because he’s hungry? Maybe. “Hunger pukes” can be associated with bilious vomiting syndrome, a pattern of recurrent bile vomiting in otherwise healthy dogs. Learn why it happens, what you can do about it, and how to tell the difference between an occasional hunger puke and vomiting that deserves a call to the vet.
7 min read
The Day Pike and Gus Tried to End us
When Pike and Gus came home smelling like the Upside Down, our day turned into a full‑scale decontamination event. In this Wait … What?!? post, I share the whole chaotic saga — plus the science behind why dogs roll in foul odors and what to do when your dog proudly brings home a smell so bad it could peel paint.
6 min read
Did Your Dog Ever Grow a Toe Out of Its Chest?
A dog that appears to grow a tiny toe out of its chest sounds like something straight out of a fever dream. But strange, horn-like skin growths really can happen. Here's what they might be — and what to do if your dog develops one.
4 min read
pet parent toolkit
Downloadable guides, checklists, and resources to help you care for the dogs you love.
Tick Talk
Ticks are small, patient, and efficient. They’re also one of the most effective disease-delivery systems in the animal kingdom — capable of transmitting bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause kidney failure, paralysis, and death in dogs. Most tick-borne diseases are treatable. The catch? You have to catch them early. Here’s a full breakdown of the tick species found across the U.S., what they carry, and what you need to know to protect your dog.
11 min read
Who Let the Suits In?
There's a scene in almost every horror movie where the protagonist walks into a familiar place and something feels off. Everything looks the same on the surface, but something essential has been hollowed out. That's increasingly what's happening at your local vet clinic. Same sign on the door. Maybe even the same doctor behind the exam table. But somewhere upstairs, the decisions are being made by people who have never once looked a dog in the eye.
5 min read
Is your dog ready if disaster strikes?
Bad weather season is here. Is your dog ready? Here's how to build a pet emergency plan — and a free printable checklist to make it easy.
3 min read
The English Shepherd
The English Shepherd isn't just another pretty herding dog. Learn what makes this intelligent, versatile farm dog unique — and what you need to know about temperament, exercise, cost, breeders and rescue before bringing one home.
The Boxer
My neighbor’s Boxer walked her. Then karma handed me a dog of my own with a working-dog brain. Meet the Boxer: a goofball with a job, a few serious health quirks, and strong opinions about your lifestyle.
The Border Collie
Border Collies are smart, athletic, and endlessly trainable — but they're also working dogs with a job written into their DNA. Here's what you need to know before bringing one home.
The Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans have one of the strongest reputations in the dog world — and much of it comes from a story people have been telling for decades. But what's it actually like to live with one? From their history and famously intimidating appearance to their affectionate “velcro dog” personalities, exercise needs, socialization, and serious health considerations, here's what you should know about the Doberman Pinscher before judging the dog by its silhouette.
The Dachshund
Adorable, stubborn, and built like a loaf of bread with opinions — here's what it actually takes to love a Dachshund, from badger-hunting history to the vet bills nobody warns you about.
The Brussels Griffon
Facebook decided I needed a Brussels Griffon. Turns out there's a whole terrier hiding under that Ewok face — here's everything I found once I stopped staring at the beard.
The Samoyed
Taylor Swift's Samoyed may have you falling in love with the breed, but before you fall for the fluff, learn what this ancient working dog is really like to live with — and whether a Samoyed actually fits your life.
The Dogue de Bordeaux
They're enormous, wrinkly, protective, devoted, and capable of producing truly astonishing quantities of drool. But there's much more to the Dogue de Bordeaux than that intimidating face. Meet Ruffy and learn what it really means to live with this remarkable French giant.
The Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are brilliant, athletic, loyal dogs — and a whole lot of dog. Before you fall in love with a blue merle on the internet, learn what this breed was designed to do, what they need from you, and how to know if an Aussie is the right match for your life.
The Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are popular for good reason — but that doesn't mean they're easy dogs. Before you bring home a Lab, let's talk about their energy, training needs, health, shedding, and what life with one really looks like.
The Beagle
A nose for a brain, a voice that could clear a stadium, and zero regard for your morning plans. Here's what actually makes a Beagle a Beagle — history, health, temperament, and the DNA-level reason they bay at sunrise (or 2 a.m., if you're fostering).
The Great Dane
They're named after a country they have nothing to do with, they'll try to sit in your lap at 150 pounds, and they come with a health list that demands your attention before your heart. Here's the real story on Great Danes — from boarhound to gentle giant.
The French Bulldog
They didn't start as a status symbol. They started as a lace worker's lap warmer in freezing Nottingham workshops. Somewhere between Paris and Instagram, the French Bulldog became the most popular breed in the country — and one of the most medically fragile. Here's everything you need to know before you fall for the face, including the story of a Frenchie named Babs who's living proof of why this matters.
The Norwegian Elkhound
This dog was hunting moose before the wheel was invented. Here's what 5,000 years of independence looks like in your living room — and why Cedar deserves a shot at it.
The Anatolian Shepherd
Thinking about an Anatolian Shepherd or mix? Real talk on temperament, health risks, true cost, and who this ancient guardian breed actually fits.
The Cane Corso
The Cane Corso gets a lot of press — most of it sensationalized, some of it deserved, and very little of it useful to someone actually thinking about whether this dog belongs in their home. Here's the deep dive: history, temperament, health, costs, and who should — and shouldn't — own one.
The Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog earned its keep on fishing boats centuries before it became a presidential pet. It herded fish, retrieved gear, and carried messages between ships — and it was paid a wage for the work. That history matters, because this breed still shows up ready to do a job. Smart, loyal, and deeply attached to its people, the PWD is a remarkable companion. But there's more to this curly coat than meets the eye. Read on before you fall in love.
The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd didn't just happen. In the late 1800s, Captain Max von Stephanitz set out to engineer the ideal herding and working dog — one with intelligence, stamina, courage, and a relentless work ethic. He succeeded spectacularly. What followed was a breed that thinks, decides, and acts — often independently. Here's what that actually means to live with, including the health realities, lifetime costs, and why GSDs are one of the most commonly surrendered breeds in th
The Hungarian Vizsla
The Hungarian Vizsla is loyal, athletic, and breathtakingly beautiful. They're also velcro dogs in the truest sense — not just a dog that tolerates your presence, but a dog physiologically oriented toward it. They will follow you everywhere. They will poke you with their nose when they want attention. They will be fully, earnestly committed to you at every moment of the day. Whether that sounds like heaven or exhausting depends entirely on who you are.
The Boykin Spaniel
The dog that nearly beat the GSP in the Ducks Unlimited Top Dog Challenge wasn't the Lab. It wasn't even the Golden. It was a breed most of us had never heard of — the Boykin Spaniel. South Carolina's state dog, built for swamps and small boats, equally at home on a couch. Their nickname is the Little Brown Devil. That's not a warning. That's a promise.
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