Bernie’s Best Blog: Expert Tips for Dog Health and Happiness
Bernie’s Dog Health Blog
Why is My Dog Not Absorbing Nutrients?
What Are Malabsorption and Bacterial Overgrowth? Bacterial overgrowth can lead to a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This condition is due to an increased number of bowel bacteria located in the small intestine. The overgrowth of bacteria causes...
Why Does My Dog Lick Everything? 29 Reasons Behind All That Licking
What Is Excessive Licking in Dogs? Excessive licking is when a dog licks something for a long time. More often than needed, longer than they should—they just keep licking. Usually, it's their own body part—a paw or leg, or near their privates for grooming. But...
What Every Dedicated Dog Parent Should Know About Seasonal Effects on Dog Dental Health
Did you know that your dog’s stinky breath may be down to more than that pungent wet dog food he just chowed down? If the odor is constant and has been for a while, it’s more likely his teeth. Dental issues for dogs can lead to more than just bad breath. They can...
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Enrichment for Dogs?
Wanting to give our dogs the best possible quality of life, we often operate under the “more is better” philosophy. We fill their days with puzzles, scent work, and constant engagement to ensure we are meeting their biological needs. However, it raises an important...
Understanding the Connection Between Boredom and Gut Health in Dogs
It’s fascinating how closely gut health and mental well-being are connected. The gut — often called our dogs’ “little brain” — is home to the enteric nervous system, a complex network that does a lot more than manage digestion. It also plays a big role in shaping our...
Bilious Vomiting Syndrome: Why Your Dog Vomits on an Empty Stomach
Waking up to the sound of a dog retching in the early morning hours is an unpleasant experience that many dog parents know all too well. Even more upsetting is seeing a bright yellow puddle of bile on the floor when our dogs appear perfectly happy and hungry just...
Beyond Exercise: The Role of Stretching Routines for Dog Joint Health
Whether your dog is a high-energy athlete or a calm potato, their musculoskeletal health is the foundation for their overall quality of life. Over time, activity and aging can lead to tight muscles and deep-tissue tension, often resulting in unnecessary strain on the...
Are Border Collies Smart? Science Confirms They Just Might Be the Brightest Breed
What a Record-Breaking Study Revealed About Border Collies As part of the study, researchers Saara Junttilla and her co-author Katriina Tiira looked at what they considered intelligent traits in 13 different dog breeds. They put 1002 dogs through a series of ten tests...
Common Factors That Lead to Unexpected Training Regression in Dogs (And What to Do)
Training regression in dogs can feel confusing and frustrating, especially when your dog has been reliably trained for months or even years. One day everything seems fine, and the next your previously well-behaved dog is having accidents, ignoring cues, or chewing on...