Traveling by car with your dog - how to do it safely
Harness, crate, barrier, or hammock? 4 ways to secure your dog in the car, what the rules say, how to prep your dog for the drive, and what to do in the heat.
Advice for pet parents who want to understand their dogs.
The Merdilo Blog is where you'll find practical advice for dog parents. We help you understand your dog - from separation anxiety, through everyday behaviors, to calmly keeping an eye on them. Everything you need to keep your dog healthy and happy, even when you're away from home.
Harness, crate, barrier, or hammock? 4 ways to secure your dog in the car, what the rules say, how to prep your dog for the drive, and what to do in the heat.
A concrete plan to get your dog ready for a vacation: deciding whether to bring them or leave them, travel documents, acclimation, a packing list, and FAQ.
Heading away and looking for someone to watch your dog? 3 dog-sitting models, where to look, 10 questions for the first meeting, and how to set up a trial before the full stay.
A long weekend, 4 days off. Take your dog along, leave them in someone's care, or stay in town? 3 scenarios and a concrete last-minute plan.
Every courier and delivery sets off a barking frenzy at the door? A 5-step desensitization plan that weakens the doorbell = barking link, plus the most common mistakes.
What sets a good boarding kennel apart from a bad one, 15 questions to ask before booking, and the warning signs that mean you should walk away before paying a deposit.
Your dog won't touch their food and the bowl stays full. 5 reasons for a stressed dog's loss of appetite, a 24-hour test, and concrete ways to make eating easier.
Stuffable toys, snuffle mats, lick mats, puzzles. 6 types of toys with a comparison table, a step-by-step stuffing guide, and what to do when nothing works.
Your dog shakes, pants, and hides under the couch during every storm. 8 ways to help, from a safe space to desensitization. Get your dog ready before storm season.
5 reasons dogs lick their paws, a step-by-step diagnostic path, and the point at which a vet visit becomes urgent. No one-size-fits-all fixes - just the right pointers to a specialist.
Is your puppy crying at the door? A 4-week alone-time training plan with an age chart, warning signs, and answers to the most common questions.
Mother's Day is also a day for dog moms. Three archetypal stories inspired by real conversations with dog moms in the "empty nest".
How does the app know whether your dog is barking, howling, or whimpering? The acoustics of dog vocalizations, AI, and privacy. No jargon, backed by research.
Desensitization training not working? 7 common mistakes that undo your progress. A recovery plan after a setback, plus when it's worth seeing a dog behaviorist.
A tired dog handles being alone more easily, but not every kind of activity helps. A chart of how much exercise a day, a 30-minute morning ritual, and common mistakes.
Keys, shoes, jacket - your dog reacts a full 10 minutes before you leave. How the conditioning works, 12 common cues, and a 10-day plan to break their meaning.
Puppy 18-20 hours, adult 10-14, senior 14-18. What shapes their sleep rhythm, when to worry, and how Merdilo shows your dog's daily rhythm.
A 0-100 result after every session. What it means, what it's built from (5 elements of sound analysis), how to read the weekly trend, and what the Calm Score is not.
Does your dog struggle with being alone? A proven 4-week systematic desensitization plan, based on Butler 2011 research and AVSAB guidelines. Concrete steps, common mistakes, a schedule.
Nearly half of households have a dog, and most owners are back in the office. We compare 7 ways to keep an eye on your dog: from an old phone to professional cameras.
You close the door and hear the first bark. You come home 8 hours later to a chewed-up door frame. Between those moments there's silence - but a camera tells you what's happening.
Adopted a dog during the pandemic? Millions of COVID-era dogs never learned to be alone. Learn the science-backed causes and 6 steps that help...
2 months: max 2 hours. 4 months: max 4 hours. Check the full chart for when you can start leaving your puppy alone...
Working and looking for a dog that handles being alone well? Learn about 15 dog breeds that do best home alone...
Working 8 hours and leaving your dog alone? Find out whether it's safe, what the risks are, and 7 proven ways to help...
More than 84% of dogs show signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations. Learn whale eye, lip licking, yawning, and 12 other signals...
Which dog breeds are most prone to separation anxiety? Learn about 10 breeds with a genetic predisposition and strategies to support them...
How many hours can a dog be left alone? Puppy, adult, or senior - learn the concrete time guidelines...
Planning a winter getaway and not sure what to do with your dog? Learn your care options: dog sitter, boarding kennel, family...
Does your dog bark when left home alone? Before you think "they're doing it out of spite" - read this article. Because barking is a language...
Learn how to recognize, understand, and treat separation anxiety in your dog. More than 20% of dogs struggle with it...
A torn-up cushion. A neighbor complaining about the barking. How do you tell separation anxiety from boredom? A simple test and 8 proven signs...
More articles coming soon