"We were looking for an older dog to be a companion to our 12 year old, Waldo. CHEW holds regular events for people to meet dogs ready for adoption, but they arranged a special meet and greet for us. CHEW Rescue, Gloria, and foster mom, Vicki, helped us learn about Benny and special needs, and he is now our new boy! He is absolutely thriving and happy and we know it is because CHEW gave him such a great start. Wonderful rescue program!"
— judy m.
Adoptee
"CHEW does a fantastic job in finding the best home for its dogs."
— marybeth h.
Volunteer / foster
"I have volunteered with Chew Dog Rescue for about 5 years now, fostering doggies! Dogs are my passion and making their lives better is the most rewarding thing I have ever done as an adult. Chew is always helpful, supportive to fosters and volunteers alike. We have a thorough vetting process for all adoptees which is so important so our dogs go the the best FOREVER homes. All of my fosters (about 14 total) have gone to such great homes and this makes me so happy. I highly recommend Chew Dog Rescue in Gig Harbor, WA if you wish to adopt of volunteer."
— fabienne m.
Volunteer / foster
"CHEW is such an amazing organization. I had the honor to foster a dog through the organization, and their support of their dogs and their fosters is absolutely amazing. They helped guide me through all the typical steps, as well as some special considerations for dogs dealing with separation anxiety. They made it very clear that the timeline for adoption was really dependent on the dog's timeline - time to heal from initial wounds, time to heal from neuter surgery, and time for the dog to build trust and understand he was safe. When it was time to start the adoption process CHEW REALLY focused on finding the right fit for the dog, not just making someone happy. They care SO much about their dogs in every step of the process. Once my foster dog was adopted they also helped me through the process of saying goodbye. I cannot recommend this organization enough!"
— nicole w.
Volunteer / foster
"My name is Leigha. A little background into my story. I lost my dog Stitch in Sept 2022. In November of 2023 I was hiking and decided that I was ready to find my next adventure buddy. I started out with the quizzes what dog breeds right for me. II got on pet finder and started looking. At first just reading the bios exploring what breeds were out their and learning their needs in January I found a dog I thought would fit in with my family. I reached out and was denied. The second dog I applied for I was denied because they didn’t think my lifestyle would be conducive to having a dog. By this point I was disheartened and disappointed. I knew if these people would just meet me they would see what an amazing dog Mom I am. I moved to Gig Harbor for work with one of my best friends. While at the grocery store we saw a sign for an adoption event. She said let’s just go check it out. I was hesitant. What if I found a dog and they told me no. However it was in a dog store and I figured I could pick something up for her dog while we were there. I talked to Gloria and Kaitlyn explained how I had been turned down to rescue 2 dogs because I was a single nurse. Gloria encouraged me to fill out a foster application and said she would call for an interview. Flash forward Chew took a chance on me an allowed me to be their first Travel Nurse foster. With in 2 weeks I was getting my first foster Molly. I did all the reaserch, training videos, pinterest boards. I was ready to be the best foster Mom ever. After a few weeks Molly began to settle in to her new life. I told her how I was helping her find her forever family. What I learned over the next 2 weeks was she had already found her forever family with me. Without Chee Dog Rescue taking a chance on me I would not have found my Tiny Adventure Doggo. She has been with me right at 2 months. She is a cuddle bug, who loves her auntie and corgie cousin. She is started in puppy training to learn to be the best good girl ever. Most importantly she is safe and loved by so many. It’s been 2 months and it’s hard to imagine my life without her."
— leigha c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"I am grateful to Chew Dog Rescue for their truly outstanding service providing a second chance for dogs to be placed in their forever homes. They go above and beyond in order to get the right match between adopter and dog! One would be hard pressed to find a better rescue organization."
— claudia k.
Adoptee
"Our experience with fostering dear Mr. Bodhi was wonderful. Carolyn, from CHEW was informative and support with with our fostering experience, offering tools, supplies, advise and support. We also got help from a professional trainer!"
— marna o.
Volunteer / foster
"CHEW is fabulous! I met them at an adoption event, the Staff and volunteers were so so excited about finding the best homes for their dogs. Left the event with a foster application in hand. I’ve both fostered for them and adopted from them. They are a great organization."
— laura m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I’ve been involved with CHEW for several years and am inspired by the volunteers and caring people that make this organization work. The dogs are their top priority and they endeavor to make sure all of them are matched up to the right forever homes. They make sure the dogs are spayed and neutered, have needed vaccinations and take care of any unexpected medical needs before they are adopted. All from volunteers with support from community donations."
— cheryl j.
Volunteer / foster
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.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Albuquerque? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Duke City.
44.5 percent of all American households share life with a canine companion. Pet professionals like dog trainers, veterinarians, and veterinary behaviorists are more important than ever as our modern society becomes increasingly difficult for four-legged friends to navigate—dog reactivity, anxiety, and general stress from lack of proper enrichment are on the rise in domestic dogs.
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.