This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Montana. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on these exceptional shelters.
#266 in United States, #1 in Montana
Bozeman
Heart of the Valley, Inc. (HOV) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter located in Bozeman and serving the Gallatin and Madison Valleys. Our primary service area includes Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone. HOV also has contracts to serve as a stray holding facility for Gallatin County, City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade and the Town of Manhattan. HOV is an open admission shelter which means we accept any dog or cat brought to the shelter regardless of condition or circumstance. In addition to reuniting lost pets with their families and finding new homes for homeless animals, HOV serves as a resource for the community by providing programs and services designed to help bring people and pets together. We offer humane education programming, canine training classes and behavioral consultations, special adoption programs for senior adults and military veterans, low cost micro-chipping, ID tags, pet licensing and a no cost Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).
"Rescued my cat from Heart of the Valley four years ago and they took great care of him and he..."
— toni s.
Adoptee
"Beautiful and caring no-kill shelter in Bozeman, MT. I spoke with a volunteer who has been there for many many..."
— chelsie g.
Fan
#361 in United States, #2 in Montana
The Humane Society of Western Montana was incorporated in 1963 as the Missoula Humane Society. At that time, our community had a considerable overpopulation of pets. So much so that thousands came through our doors and difficult decisions were made. Fast forward to the present and there is much to celebrate. Our community embraced spay/neuter programs and as a result, the sheer volume of pets coming through our doors for rehoming dropped from over 8,000 to approximately 1,400. HSWM is grateful for the work of all our volunteers and staff over the years. We wish our work was done. However, in many ways it is just beginning. When we consider pet welfare across the state, there are many areas where spay/neuter has simply been an unavailable and unaffordable service. There are communities where pet populations are at unsustainable levels and dogs and cats go hungry. People and pets in those areas need our help. And, as costs rise, many here in Missoula are now finding they cannot afford care. This is why we offer free vaccine clinics, low cost spay neuter services and travel long distances to provide care to underserved clients and pets. Through our programs, which include a robust foster care system, food pantry, behavior hotline and veterinary care, we serve more animals outside the shelter than within our walls. And we are growing.
"HSWMT does so much good for our communities and the animals here. They put on free/low cost immunization and spay/neuter,..."
— kris b.
Fan
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Pronking Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary (PPRS) is a small rural all volunteer/foster based rescue just West of Missoula. PPRS has been rescuing animals for over ten years, but recently became a 501 c 3 nonprofit in 2020. ‘Pronking’ means the ‘happy run’ of an alpaca, and alpacas were the first animal that the rescue/sanctuary started to work with. We found out quickly that there are not a lot of livestock rescues in the state of Montana and we found our niche; PPRS wanted to become a haven for livestock that have been abused and neglected. In 2019 we started to focus our rescue on rescuing dogs and cats that met our rescue’s criteria. PPRS wanted our rescue to be a place where all animals can ‘happy run’. The veteran community is also something we are very passionate about. One of Pronking Pastures Rescue and Sanctuary founders, Travis Williams, lost his Marine squad in Iraq in 2003. When he came back to the United States, he found purpose in rescuing and working with unwanted animals as this became therapeutic. Most of all the volunteers at PPRS are veterans or have ties to the veteran community. PPRS wants to offer a comfortable and inviting spot for our fellow comrades.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The Lewis & Clark Humane Society was founded in Helena in 1964 as a means to create a more humane and ethical way to deal with the community’s stray and unwanted pets. LCHS is a small, private, community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides shelter for unwanted and stray animals (primarily dogs and cats) while working to end pet overpopulation, reduce the need for euthanasia, and improve the humane treatment and well-being of companion animals. LCHS serves three counties in Southwestern Montana, encompassing a population of roughly 75,000 residents and services an area covering roughly 5,500 square miles. LCHS also provides shelter for the dogs and cats of animal cruelty cases going to trial. We offer a variety of programs to the Helena and surrounding communities Since its creation in 1964, LCHS has continued to grow and expand its facilities and programs along with the growth of the community. In an effort to decrease the amount of animals that come through the shelter, we work tirelessly to make sure the pets in our community are vaccinated and spayed and neutered while in our care. LCHS also has a comprehensive foster care program – including day-trips and sleepovers – in order to help meet the needs of all the animals in our care while they wait for their forever homes. We also have multiple specialized personnel who work to socialize, exercise, and train animals in our care, in order to provide the best quality of life for the animals.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The Bitter Root Humane Association was formed in 1972 by a group of local animal lovers. In 1984, Countess Margarite Bessenyey gave the group land on Fairgrounds Road and Betty Cook, as President, led volunteers in raising money to build a shelter. That building served as a temporary home for countless animals for over 35 years. During that time, the shelter also housed hundreds of animals during the major wildfires of 2000 through 2016, and took in animals from numerous neglect and hoarding cases, including the recent, highly publicized Husky case. Time, however, took its toll and that shelter became unsafe and non-functional for our staff, volunteers and animals that call the shelter home. In March of 2020, after over a decade of fundraising efforts, construction began on a new, modern shelter which opened to the public in July 2021. We are proud to say, we have no time or space limits to finding the perfect home for our “guests”!
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Great Pyrenees Rescue Montana, is staffed entirely by a very small group of volunteers, whose purpose is to facilitate the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of abused, unwanted, displaced, and abandoned Great Pyrenees and Great Pyrenees mixes into safe, caring companion, or working homes. We serve Montana, but do support other surrounding states. We wish to educate the public and breeders in order to prevent overbreeding, as well as to prevent the overall increase in the number of dogs in shelters that end up being euthanized. Additionally, we serve a number of dogs that continue to be abandoned as sheep are brought off the mountains at the end of the season. Although we became a 501C3 in June 2023, we also operate under the guidance and umbrella of National Great Pyrenees Rescue, a 501C3 non-profit organization formed in 2006, for charitable purposes and incorporated as a 501C3 not-for-profit in 2007. We do not have a central location or shelter. All of our dogs are housed in foster homes or in a boarding facility. Our dogs are placed in fosters or boarding based on availability and compatibility with other existing dogs. We are pleased to partner with Old Farm Kennels located in Florence, Montana. When we are unable to find a foster home for a dog, our Great Pyrenees / Great Pyrenees mixes find love, care, and safety with the staff there.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Pintler Pets is a private, non-profit humane society in Anaconda, Montana. We receive no governmental funding, and operate on private donations, grants, and adoption fees. Pintler Pets serves people and pets from across Montana through pet rescue, re-homing, and adoption services. All pets are microchipped, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated prior to being adopted.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Bozeman
Tiny Tails is a 100% volunteer group that works from foster homes. We do not have a facility. Our rescues usually come to us needing special care and we find that providing that care in a home, rather then a kennel works best for our rescues. Petco & Petsmart adoption partners and Petfinders.com partners
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The Mission Valley Animal Shelter is a small private no-kill facility serving Lake County, Montana. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), we depend upon the kindness, generosity and love for animals that we all share. Our goal is to reduce the number of abandoned, unwanted and homeless pets through adoption and education. Serving an area spanned by Lake County and the Flathead Indian Reservation, we are faced with both a rural and a reservation environment where stray animals often wander and breed on the streets. Being the only animal shelter between Missoula (60 miles to the south) and Kalispell (60 miles to the north) and serving a county where no Animal Control services exist, we are regularly challenged by the number of animals in need. Our shelter is managed and supported by a Development Director, a Shelter Manager, a Board of Directors, a small staff and a host of wonderful volunteers who help us with the maintenance of the facility and care for our animals. Our Board of Directors meets monthly, and all Directors take an active role in ensuring the organization is run efficiently and professionally. The MVAS projected 2023 annual budget is $352,650, which is to be covered by Thrift Store sales, grants, event fundraising, private donations, investment returns and client fees. The organization has a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination, meaning that all donations are 100% tax deductible. Our History MVAS was organized in 1989, opened as temporary facility in 1992 and moved to our permanent location in 1994. During 2000 we raised money for an expansion of our shelter, which was completed in 2001. A further expansion was added in 2010 without incurring any debt. In 2018 MVAS embarked upon yet another expansion, which was completed in 2019. This expansion added 4 puppy and/or small dog kennels, and five additional fenced-in outdoor runs, as well as a new washroom. In 2021, we started a Doggy Play yard Campaign to raise money for some new dog yards. In 2022 the construction was completed, and we know have 4 outdoor dog yards for our fabulous furry friends to enjoy. It is in the works for 2023 to install some doggy play equipment into one of the new yards for some good ol' doggy fun! In 2022, we also were able to place a new roof system over the outdoor kennels in our East Yard and enclose the kennels in our West Yard on three sides. Now our doggos have some serious protection against the Montana weather. This was all possible thanks to the help of some amazing donors! In 2023, we will also be working on getting three doggy doors with outside dog kennels set up for our iso dogs so these dogs will be able to go in and out while they await access to our dog yards.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Hi, my name is Kim and I am the founder and director of Pink Paw Rescue Society, Inc. PPRS is a 501(c)3 registered charity. (EIN# 83-4683348). OUR GOALS are two-fold: FIRST is to provide a safe place and home for any dog in our care. We will take in any breed, but prefer giants and bully breeds for our rescue. So many are misunderstood in the way they are protective yet so gentle with the families. THE SECOND GOAL is a two-fold operation. First, is that our military personnel may need a special dog when they come home to help them adjust and adapt to the changes deploy- ment may have made in their lives. Second, is that our military service men and women need safe haven for their pets when they are deployed or not able to take them with them. We can coordinate with transports and other shelters to give each dog the best foster home possible while their moms and dads are away. No matter where the dog is. To accomplish all this, takes lots of time, volunteers and money. Yes, every non-profit needs donations of money and other supplies ( blankets, beds, food, collars and leashes, bowls, etc.) Puppy kisses are so worth your time! The Story on how we got started: The picture on the home page is of my first rescue, Mr. Who-Chi Moosey Goose and one of the inspirations for Pink Paw Rescue Society. Maggi (the Staffie) was in a no-kill shelter for about 5 months. She sat in her kennel looking ever so pretty and well mannered. No one wanted her. She was 6 and a bundle of loving energy. Mags got me thinking and when an online ad for a Bull Mastiff of about 10.5 yrs came up, I had to answer it. They gave various medical issues as reasons to rehome him. When I first met him, he not only had several medical issues, but was severely depressed. Neither the vet or I thought he would last long, even with medical care and love. But, we underestimated the power of love and companionship. He and Maggi created a deep bond on first sight. We cleared his medical issues the best we could, the arthritis was severe and painful but he was a trooper. After some renewal of socialization skills, Mr. Who-Chi Moosey Goose was winning hearts everywhere and was very happy. The move to Lewistown, Mt. provided a challenge in stairs to the temporary apartment, and he met that well, growing stronger. We finally found a home and moved to Conrad, Mt. on Sept. 10, 2020. He loved his new home, but the pain with is arthritis and probable nerve and back issues took over. After 1.5 yrs with PPRS and Maggi, he passed on Sept. 24th, 2020 at about 12 yrs old . Maggi Moo is the inspiration for the rescue, Moosey Goose was the first rescue, a hospice patient. Such a rascal and loved by all who met him. He is very much missed by us both.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Life Savers Animal Rescue is a foster based rescue located in Polson, Montana. Our mission is to compassionately foster lost, abandoned and surrendered dogs and place those pets into caring adoptive homes, thereby enriching lives through adoption. We are an all volunteer 501(c)3 organization and 100% of our income goes to programs to help the animals and people that love them. Programs include adoption, low cost spay and neuter assistance, pet rehoming and assistance in keeping a pet in the home. Our wonderful foster homes are the backbone of our organization and we would not be able to function without them! Because we are a private non-profit rescue, not affiliated with city or county government, our rescue dogs come from a variety of places. Our priority placements are dogs in need right here in our community, and we take in strays (please see our stray policy below) and owner surrenders as we have room and an appropriate foster home. We also work with rescues in Texas and California that save dogs from euthanasia at high kill shelters to bring those adoptable dogs to Montana.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Governed by a Board of Directors, HSNWMT is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) limited admission, no-kill organization that focuses on finding caring, loving homes for orphaned cats and dogs and ending the destruction of healthy adoptable pets. Our Board of Directors consists of Flathead Valley residents who are concerned about animal welfare and who live and work in the area. The HSNWMT staff consists of a dedicated team of animal care and administrative professionals. On behalf of the orphaned animals that we serve, thank you for the opportunity to acquaint you with our life saving organization. Located between two of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish and Kalispell, the Humane Society of Northwest Montana is home of the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center. Our facility which opened its doors to the general public on July 1, 2004 sits on fourteen acres and it is built in the shape of a horseshoe. Our original architectural design resembled a rectangle and was approximately 10,000 square feet in size. Due to budget constraints at the time of construction however, we had to sacrifice the amount of kennel space for dogs and decrease overall dimensions. After completion of our cost-cutting concessions of approximately 3,000 square feet in the final build-out, the result was 39 kennels for cats and 17 kennels for dogs.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Kootenai Pets for Life was started in 2001 by a group of concerned citizens to provide a humane Shelter for the stray and abandoned pet population of the Libby/Troy area. It is a non-profit, volunteer organization providing shelter, assisting our community with spay and neuter, foster care, veterinary assistance and education. In 2002 the City of Troy allowed KPFL to use their Animal Shelter. While grateful for the use of the facility the conditions spurred the group to raise funds and build a more humane Shelter in Libby. Thanks to all the people who volunteered and all that donated we were able to start a new structure in Libby in 2008. August 2009 we were able to move the cats and dogs into the new structure and enjoy the facility that volunteers built.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Since 1994, PAWS of Chinook has assisted Blaine, Hill, Liberty Counties and beyond. We are committed to providing a safe, loving place to land for pets looking for their forever home. We are powered by a group of volunteers who put our resident dogs first. As the only brick and mortar shelter in all of Blaine County, Montana our shelter is quite often over capacity. We have just 5 kennels to serve the needs of many. We are always in need of volunteers, fosters and adopters. Please ask us how you can help! As one of many dog shelters, we understand the need to control pet overpopulation and disease. All PAWS dogs are fully vaccinated, microchipped, and altered.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Bozeman
We are a non-profit animal sanctuary & rescue organization located in Park County, MT. Our mission is to place amazing animals in amazing homes.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was established on January 1, 2008. We leased the decades old dilapidated animal shelter near the river walk from the county for 2 years and then in 2010 were able to build a brand new facility north of town where we are currently located. We are proud to say that we have had over 9,800 pets through our shelter doors since that time, as well as provide thousands of pounds of pet food to community pets and facilitate over 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries for the owned pets of Lincoln County residents. We are truly living our Mission Statement of "Improving the lives of pets and people in Lincoln County and beyond"!
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Billings
Founded in 2006, Beartooth Humane Alliance is the only animal welfare organization in Carbon and Stillwater counties. Our mission is to help our community help animals. From its inception, BHA has been responsive to community needs, assisting in adoptions, lost and found pets, spay/neuter and humane education. Our work started in 2003 when an informal group of concerned community members held Carbon County’s first ever spay/neuter clinic, dubbed Operation Nip & Tuck. With the help of generous donors and more than 100 volunteers, 332 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. Operation Nip & Tuck continued every year through 2015 before transitioning to a by-appointment model. Since the program started more than 5,000 dogs and cats have been spayed/neutered. Unlike other animal rescue organizations, BHA does not operate a shelter. Instead, we rely on a network of foster homes that house homeless pets until they are permanently placed. BHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt corporation and operates entirely on donations.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
Bright Eyes Care & Rehab Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to animal care and protection. Our goal is to promote responsible animal ownership within the community and to assume those responsibilities when others are unable or unwilling to do so. All of the programs that we offer are supported by contributions from the public and members of our organization. Those programs include pet adoption, humane education, pet therapy, spay/neuter assistance, obedience training, and any information requested by pet owners.
#600 in United States, #3 in Montana
The City of Great Falls Animal Shelter (GFAS) is an Open Admission Municipal animal shelter serving the citizens and domesticated animals of the City of Great Falls. The Mission of the Shelter is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the domesticated animals and citizens of our community through education about responsible pet ownership. We use many resources to re-home every adoptable animal through adoption, rescue partners, and adoption events. By utilizing these resources and with the help of the Great Falls Community we do not euthanize domestic animals due to space or length of stay at the City of Great Falls Animal Shelter. The City of Great Falls Police Department handles all Animal Control issues, the GFAS houses and cares for the domestic animals only.
Founded in 2006, Beartooth Humane Alliance is the only animal welfare organization in Carbon and Stillwater counties. Our mission is to help our community help animals. From its inception, BHA has been responsive to community needs, assisting in adoptions, lost and found pets, spay/neuter and humane education. Our work started in 2003 when an informal group of concerned community members held Carbon County’s first ever spay/neuter clinic, dubbed Operation Nip & Tuck. With the help of generous donors and more than 100 volunteers, 332 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. Operation Nip & Tuck continued every year through 2015 before transitioning to a by-appointment model. Since the program started more than 5,000 dogs and cats have been spayed/neutered. Unlike other animal rescue organizations, BHA does not operate a shelter. Instead, we rely on a network of foster homes that house homeless pets until they are permanently placed. BHA is a 501(c)3 non-profit tax exempt corporation and operates entirely on donations.
We are Freckles and Tomcat Rescue A non profit animal rescue that treats unwanted animals like family. Since 2016 we have dedicated ourselves to rescuing, rehabilitating and homing as many needy animals as possible. Our Initiatives Rescue With our mission always in mind, we strive to rescue and rehabilitate as many animals as possible. Contact us to learn more about our teams hard work and commitment to this cause. Advocacy We support responsible spay and neutering and host several free clinics yearly. This is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community involvement, we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. Rehabilitation On this point, we will not waiver. We believe every life has value. Our goal is to support the welfare of animals in need. With the support of our dedicated volunteers we do everything we can to help every animal. Learn more about this initiative and how you can help.
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007 and officially took over the sheltering of the City’s companion animals in 2009. It is a common misconception that Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) is a division of the City of Billings. While we do maintain a contract with the City to care for Billings’ lost/stray animals, we are separate entities. In fact, our City contract accounts for less than one-third of the shelter’s annual income, leaving us to raise the remainder of our budget through other means. YVAS also maintains contracts with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Laurel Police Department to house and reunite lost dogs. YVAS hopes to one day provide an open-door policy to County cats. We will accept cats from outside Billings city limits on a case-by-case basis, depending on adoptability and availability of space. Over the last decade, YVAS has grown to become the largest shelter in Montana, intaking over 5,000 animals every year. YVAS has also made many changes over the years; ever-evolving to provide the best care for animals and the people of the Billings community. Our current shelter programs include reuniting lost pets with their owners, adoption, foster care, volunteer, outreach & education, low-cost spay & neuter clinics, and our life-saving Working Cat Program. We have recently partnered with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program to increase our lifesaving capacity and improve the health and well-being of the animals in the community.
Heart of the Valley, Inc. (HOV) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter located in Bozeman and serving the Gallatin and Madison Valleys. Our primary service area includes Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone. HOV also has contracts to serve as a stray holding facility for Gallatin County, City of Bozeman, City of Belgrade and the Town of Manhattan. HOV is an open admission shelter which means we accept any dog or cat brought to the shelter regardless of condition or circumstance. In addition to reuniting lost pets with their families and finding new homes for homeless animals, HOV serves as a resource for the community by providing programs and services designed to help bring people and pets together. We offer humane education programming, canine training classes and behavioral consultations, special adoption programs for senior adults and military veterans, low cost micro-chipping, ID tags, pet licensing and a no cost Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).
Tiny Tails is a 100% volunteer group that works from foster homes. We do not have a facility. Our rescues usually come to us needing special care and we find that providing that care in a home, rather then a kennel works best for our rescues. Petco & Petsmart adoption partners and Petfinders.com partners
We are a non-profit animal sanctuary & rescue organization located in Park County, MT. Our mission is to place amazing animals in amazing homes.
Welcome to the 2024 Montana Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Montana chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
Sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks, each park offers secure, private bookings on private land, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Montana dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
https://myhswm.org/dogs/
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in San Diego? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and off-leash dog areas, and plan for your next adventure on California’s coast.
Have you been looking for a new and interesting way to exercise your dog? You might be a good candidate for bike dog sports! Read on for an introductory complete guide to learn about what bikejoring is and how you can get started.
Discover the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed celebrated for its intelligent and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Jack Russell Terriers have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for fox hunting and vermin control starting in the 19th century.
Discover the Dalmatian, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, trainable, and loyal nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Dalmatians have their origins in Croatia, where they were initially bred for coaching (running along carriages), guarding, and hunting starting in the 16th century.
Discover the Bernese Mountain Dog, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and playful nature. Recognized as a large dog, Bernese Mountain Dogs have their origins in Switzerland, where they were initially bred for guarding livestock and droving work starting in the 1st century.
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.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and 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.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a 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.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Considered a medium-sized dog, American Staffordshire Terriers were originally bred in the United Kingdom for baiting bulls, fighting, and hunting beginning in the 1800s — though they're known as gentle, playful lovers today.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, a breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were originally bred in the United States for herding beginning in the 1950s.