In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

Finally, a Gift He'll Actually Use

He probably doesn’t need another shirt, gadget, or bottle of whiskey. Give him something he can enjoy every single day. Gravité Cologne by Particle combines bright citrus, warm amber, and aromatic rosemary to create a fresh, masculine scent that stands out without overpowering. Engineered to last all day, it’s the kind of cologne that will quickly become his new go-to. I Love Every Dog readers: Use promo code NEWS20 for 20% off your order today, along with free shipping and Particle’s 30-day money-back guarantee

Give Your Man an Upgrade with Gravité Cologne

How to Help Your Senior Dog Choose the Stairs Every Time

There is nothing quite like watching a senior dog curl up on their favorite couch cushion or settle beside you on the bed. They’ve spent years keeping your feet warm, greeting you at the door, and serving as the gentle heart of your home. But as our loyal companions age, those sudden, high-impact leaps onto and off the furniture start taking a silent toll on their spine, hips, and joints.

Many loving pet parents invest in pet stairs to make life easier, only to watch their stubborn old friend leap right past the steps! Seeing your gray-muzzled pal take a hard landing is nerve-wracking, but helping them break the jumping habit doesn't mean taking away their access or comfort.

Why Leaping Is Harder Than It Looks

As dogs reach their senior years, conditions like osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), and muscle loss become widespread.

• The Launch: Pushing off a hardwood floor puts intense strain on aching lower backs and rear knees.
• The Downward Landing: Coming down forces front legs, shoulders, and elbows to absorb three to four times their total body weight in sudden impact force.

Paws for Thought: Senior dogs rarely jump out of stubbornness. They do it out of sheer muscle memory. Jumping has been their lifelong routine, and they need gentle guidance to build a new habit.

4 Steps to Guide Your Senior Dog to Use Their Pet Stairs

If your dog ignores their stairs, the issue is usually related to stability, angle, or routine. Follow this gentle workflow to help them build trust in their new path.

1. Anchor and Position the Stairs Correctly: Ensure wobble-free movement so your dog feels secure.

Place the stairs directly against the edge of the furniture where your dog usually launches or lands. Make sure the base rests on a non-slip rug or runner—if the steps wobble or slide even once, your dog will avoid them completely.

2. Build Confidence with Treat Traces: Prevents hesitation by keeping training flat and approachable.

Place high-value treats (like small bits of chicken or cheese) on every step. Stand at the top or bottom and gently encourage them to walk up or down one step at a time, celebrating every paw movement with quiet, warm praise.

3. Block Strategic Jumping Paths: Removes the option to leap from the edges.

Senior dogs naturally take the path of least resistance. Use throw pillows, soft bolsters, or furniture blocks along the open sides of the couch so the top of the stairs becomes the only clear, unblocked entrance.

4. Manage High-Excitement Triggers: Prevents impulsive descents when callers or family arrive.

Dogs often jump down fast when they hear the doorbell, a knock, or treat bags opening. Place an extra non-skid rug at the base of the stairs and keep a leash nearby to gently guide them down during busy moments until using the stairs becomes second nature.

Simple Fixes for Common Stair Hesitations

If your pup still seems hesitant around their pet stairs, small adjustments can make a world of difference:

• Tackling Steep Incline: Deep, wide steps with shallow rises are much easier on stiff joints than narrow, steep ones. If stairs remain scary for your dog, consider swapping them for a gradual carpeted ramp.
• Eliminating Slippery Surfaces: Plastic or bare wood stairs can feel slick under older paws. Add carpet treads or non-slip rubber mats to give them reliable grip.
• Lighting the Way at Night: Aging eyes often suffer from cataracts or night blindness. Placing a soft nightlight near the stairs helps them navigate safely in the dark.

Small Adjustments, Long-Term Relief

Helping an aging dog transition from jumping to stepping isn't about setting rigid rules—it's about adapting your home to honor their changing body. With steady footing, gentle guidance, and plenty of rewards, your senior dog can continue enjoying their favorite couch spot right by your side, safely grounded and comfortably loved.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• FI - Pet Supplements: Potential Salmonella Contamination
• Northwest Naturals - Chicken Recipe: Potential Salmonella and/or Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
• Fromm - Wet Canned Dog Food: Potential Metal Contamination
• Oma's Pride - Canine Food: Contaminated with Salmonella

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We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.