"I received Buster 13 years ago from DPS. They were amazing to work with. The thing that sticks out the most is how thoughtfully they interviewed me to make sure I would be a good fit for one of there dogs. So blessed they were around then and still are today."
— john w.
Adoptee
"DPS not only saves furry friends. DPS saves the humans who save the furry friends."
— dan a.
Supporter
"A 501(c)3 since 2001. The love and knowledge that all who are currently involved as well as previous volunteers and contributors who have supported DPS through the years, saving and re-homing thousands of animals is proof that this rescue is one of the best animal rescues in this wonderful country that we live in!"
— donna b.
Supporter
"We adopted Astrid last year, Jan 2023 and she has been the best addition to our lives. We cannot thank DPS enough for rescuing her and taking good care of her. It helped that she was vaccinated and spayed and was in a loving foster home. Our experience from the screening to being able to ask DPS questions were very smooth. It shows they truly care that the pets end up in loving forever homes. When it came time to ask questions about Astrid’s age, DPS organized records helped us to get a better read of how old she was. They are really focused on ensuring every pet is taken care of. I highly recommend them!"
— nicole a.
Adoptee
"My husband and I adopted our little dog Raffy in November 2020 and he is the sweetest dog we’ve ever had and has become a solid member of our family. He doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his little body and makes friends wherever he goes. We are retired so it is great that he gets us out of the house. All of our interactions with Doggie Protective Services have been smooth and successful. We recommend DPS highly"
— annette a.
Adoptee
"DPS is an astoundingly effective organization, passionate about the work they do to rescue dogs from kill shelters in both Mexico and California, transport them with love and (veterinarian) care to adoptive communities, set them up with exceptional fosters to truly understand the temperment of each dog, then match them with great intentionality to loving families. In our adoptive experience we were deeply impressed by the rigor of the interview process, which we came to understand was all to ensure that each dog, regardless of where they came from, would be placed in perfect home for them. We are forever thankful to DPS for allowing us to so deeply love our Tijuanaian street dog, who is an absolutely perfect fit for our family."
— mark d.
Adoptee
"DPS makes a big effort to ensure all their animals go to a compatible and forever home."
— annie c.
Supporter
"DOM AND CINDY ARE AWESOME Matt too sometimes"
— brandon b.
Fan
"I have two dogs thanks to DPS! I love what they do. You can tell the volunteers really care for animals and they go above and behind to rescue pups. I cannot express how grateful I am for what DPS does. My dogs mean the world to me and I would not have them without DPS. Both of my dogs came from Korea. I know bringing dogs over from Korea is not an easy task. Again, I am eternally grateful for what they have given to my family."
— nick h.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"Our family adopted a black mixed breed dog from DPS. We met him at a pet adoption fair and DPS was great about giving us a chance to take him on a little walk around the parking lot to get to know him a bit before making a decision. The adoption process was easy but also thorough enough to give me the sense that DPS screens potential adopters to make sure they will follow through and take care of the dogs they adopt. We have now had Bowser for over 3 years and he is a well-loved member of our family with a quirky but sweet personality and best friends with our other dog. We are grateful to DPS for introducing us!"
— stephanie s.
Adoptee
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
So: Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (cars, bikes, skateboards, and other fast-moving objects are also common triggers) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling not only feels embarrassing for you — it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.