Love of Dog Pet Nutrition and Training

06/07/2026

Jinkies! Our pets can feel like total mysteries when it comes to their quirky behaviors, decoding food labels, finding an enrichment routine that works, and everything in between.

Well we’re not splitting up for this one, gang! We’ll solve this mystery together!

Learn more at https://www.loveofdogarizona.com

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

You are seen, heard, welcomed, safe, and loved here.

No exceptions. Ever.

05/31/2026

I get asked all the time: What’s the best food to feed my dog?

The truth? It depends.

There’s a lot of “pet nutrition experts” out there who will jump to an answer (usually raw or home-cooked) without asking any other questions.

In reality, nutrition recommendations should be highly personalized not just to the pet but to the family, too.

Not everyone has the freezer space, time, budget, or desire to feed a fresh or frozen diet. And that’s okay.

Some pets require highly unique diets that could be extremely challenging to DIY. And that’s okay.

My goal isn’t to convince you to feed a specific type of food. My goal is to help you make the best nutrition decisions for your dog within your lifestyle and budget.

Whether you want help formulating a homemade recipe that actually contains all of the required nutrients your pet needs (in the correct amounts) or you need to find the best commercial food within your budget, I’m here to help without judgement, shame, or a salesperson attitude.

Each of my nutrition consultations starts with an in-depth conversation about your pet, family, concerns, priorities, and more before a single recommendation is ever made.

From there, we work together to create a plan that is realistic, sustainable, and individualized.

No online questionnaire followed by a confusing spreadsheet. No one-size-fits-all templates. No guessing. Just education, collaboration, and thoughtful recommendations designed specifically for your pet.

We got this.

Learn more about nutrition services at:
https://www.loveofdogarizona.com/services/nutrition

05/25/2026

Perfectly landscaped lawns may look nice to us, but they can come with hidden risks for our dogs, not to mention wildlife and the environment 🌼🐝🐶 🦋🌎

A peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Research found that dogs exposed to professionally treated lawns had a significantly increased risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma, one of the most common cancers seen in dogs. The researchers reported approximately a 70% increased risk associated with certain lawn chemical exposures.

While this does NOT necessarily mean every chemically treated lawn will cause cancer, it does highlight an important reality: our pets are vulnerable to environmental toxins. They walk barefoot through grass, lick their paws, sniff everything close to the ground, and spend far more time in direct contact with treated surfaces than we do.

Meanwhile, many common “weeds” (like dandelions and clover) provide valuable food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies 🐝🦋

This isn’t about fear or perfection. It’s about informed choices and reducing unnecessary exposure whenever possible.

Some safer alternatives include:
• Spot-treating only when necessary
• Using pet-safe or least-toxic lawn products (especially avoid glyphosate/Round Up)
• Avoiding applications before dogs go outside
• Rinsing paws after walks in treated areas
• Embracing a little biodiversity in the yard 💛

Sometimes a lawn full of life is healthier for everyone than a lawn that looks “perfect.”

⚡️By the way, I encourage you to save this photo and have it printed at a local print shop or Walgreens as a yard sign to spread the word!

📚 Study referenced:
Koutros S, et al. Environmental Research (2012) - examining lawn chemical exposure and canine malignant lymphoma risk.

📷 Photo credits to Rodney Habib

05/19/2026

I’m here at Furrballz Healthy Pet Center in Scottsdale for an Ask The Expert pop-up! I’ve got a table full of my favorite products, samples to give out, and answers to your training, nutrition, and enrichment questions - come say hi until 1pm!

05/15/2026

I’ll be at Furrballz Healthy Pet Center in Scottsdale, AZ next Tuesday May 19 from 11-1 to help answer ALL of your pet related questions from training to nutrition, doing product demos, giving out samples, and talking to pet parents (like you!) about Love of Dog. I hope to see you there!

05/06/2026

I’m in awe of the beautiful photographic artwork (the only way to properly describe it) that Sarah McGraw Photography was able to capture on one of Leila’s last days. Every single photo she took was shockingly stunning. It was almost impossible to pick one to post.

We had a beyond wonderful experience working with Sarah. Her personality and professionalism are something you just don’t see every day. Seriously, this gal laid in the mud to get the best shots! If you’re looking for the BEST pet photographer, she is your gal!

And by the way, I’d love to help your pup prepare for their photoshoot with some training sessions 😉

05/06/2026

Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard your dogs nails clacking on the floor……. 🙋‍♀️

We’ve all been there, and most people don’t even know that it’s a problem! Check out this graphic showing how much long nails can change a dog’s posture and contribute to pain…

“But my dog HATES getting their nails trimmed!”

Trust me, I’ve been there, too. Leila hated nail trims most of her life. That’s where cooperative care training comes in.

Cooperative care teaches dogs to be active and willing participants in their own care. It’s something I’m passionate about and LOVE helping dogs learn. With cooperative care techniques, there are lots of methods we can use to help keep your dog’s nails at a comfortable length, from scratch boards to voluntary paw handling and so, so much more.

The nail trimming fight doesn’t have to last forever. Let’s start slowing that train down today - together.

Check out my website https://www.loveofdogarizona.com to learn more and to get started with your journey. You and your dog deserve it.

🧡🐾

🐾 Nail Length & Its Impact on Canine Biomechanics

Have you checked your dog’s nails recently?

Long nails do more than just click on the floor—they can significantly influence your dog’s posture, movement, and overall musculoskeletal health.

When nails are left untrimmed, they don’t just affect the paw—they can impact the entire kinetic chain.

Why Nail Length Matters

🟢 Alters Joint Angulation & Posture

Overgrown nails force the toe pads upward and backward (caudally), shifting weight proximally within the limb.

This disrupts normal limb loading and can lead to:

* Postural adaptations
* Altered joint alignment
* Compensatory movement patterns

📖 Reference: Zink & Van D**e (2013), Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

🟢 Impacts Gait & Reduces Stability

If nails contact the ground during stance, they can:

* Cause toe splaying
* Reduce effective ground contact
* Compromise traction

This may increase the risk of:

* Slipping
* Soft tissue strain (tendons/ligaments)
* Secondary compensatory issues

📖 References: Touch Animal Rehabilitation (2020); Canine Body Balance (2021)

🟢 Increases Musculoskeletal Load

Chronic postural change can contribute to:

* Myofascial tension
* Uneven joint loading
* Increased risk of conditions like Osteoarthritis in dogs

Particularly relevant in:

* Senior dogs
* Sporting/working dogs
* Orthopaedic cases

📖 Reference: Veterinary Clinics of North America (2020)

✅ Quick Nail Check

Ask yourself:

✔️ Do the nails touch the ground when your dog is standing?
✔️ Can you hear them tapping on hard flooring?

If yes—it’s time for a trim.

🟢 Clinical Insight

Nail length is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the simplest modifiable factors affecting biomechanics.

In practice, I frequently see improvements in:

* Postural alignment
* Limb loading symmetry
* Movement quality

…simply by addressing nail length alongside soft tissue work.

🟢 When to Seek Help

If your dog:

* Is reluctant to walk on certain surfaces
* Slips frequently
* Shows subtle gait changes
* Dislikes nail trimming

Support from a qualified professional (groomer, vet, or therapist) can make a significant difference.

🔍 Learn More

• Canine Body Balance Blog
https://caninebodybalance.com.au/journal/canine-nail-length-and-the-effects-on-biomechanics

📩 Get in Touch

If you’re noticing changes in posture or movement and suspect nail length may be contributing, I offer clinical musculoskeletal assessment and tailored treatment plans.

📧 [email protected]
📞 07418 082 240
🌐 www.emccm.co.uk

05/05/2026

May is filling up fast, but there’s still some openings in my schedule! If you’ve been thinking about a training or nutrition consultation for your dog, now is a great time to book to secure your May appointment!

Check out https://www.loveofdogarizona.com to learn more 🫶