• Scooting: Usually this is an indicator that your dog's anal glands need to be expressed. These are glands that are located right inside the anal area that usually empty themselves naturally during bowel movements. However, at times, you may need to have somebody express your dog's anal glands or do it yourself.

• Fleas and Ticks: Check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks, especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors. These insects can carry serious illnesses for dogs and people. Flea collars can provide some protection against them hitching a ride on your dog's back. For more chronic problems, your vet can prescribe a topical medication you apply to your dog's skin about once a month.

• Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, change in diet, food allergies, intestinal infection or parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, parvovirus, or corona virus. While it's a common ailment with dogs and puppies, it's important to consult with a vet if diarrhea continues for more than a few days or is present with other health conditions.

• Allergies: Allergies can be responsible for a number of different problems in dogs, including excessive itching and scratching, licking, and hair loss. Additionally, allergies can manifest themselves through coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or even diarrhea or vomiting. There could be a number of potential allergans and it's important to seek a vet's advice if you suspect allergies.

• Worms: Worms can affect dogs of any age, but can be especially prevalent in puppies. Be sure to check for a distended abdomen and when in doubt, take your pup to the vet for testing.

• Gas: Some breeds, such as Rottweilers, are naturally more gassy than others. Stress, illness, or a change in diet can all cause increased gassiness. Try changing your dog's food or adding boiled potatoes or rice to your dog's regular diet. If the problem persists or gets worse, be sure to consult with your vet to rule out an underlying illness.

• Weight Issues: Like people, dogs can become overweight or even obese from too much food, too many treats, or inadequate exercise and can cause many of the same serious illnesses. Ideally, this condition should be prevented, but a regulated diet (with special diet dog food) and exercise can help remedy the situation.

• Dental Care: Dogs will benefit from regular dental care (and so will you when you smell your dog's breath!). This can come from special dog chew toys, home brushing from a loving human, and from regular dental checkups and cleanings at the vet.

• My dog’s in heat! So you ignored everyone's advice and decided not to spay your dog? And now you know why it was good advice when you find your dog is acting crazy in heat! Female dogs in heat exhibit strange behavior and are extremely messy. Doggie diapers can help control the mess.

Un-spayed female dogs will go into heat about every six months, so be sure to consider a trip to the vet even if she is still in heat and definitely before it happens again!