The Free School for Dogs

08/25/2026

On August 21, 2026, Fromm Family Foods issued a voluntary recall of its Turkey Pâté and Diner Classic Milo’s Meatloaf Wet Dog Foods over potential metal contamination.

Pet parents who may have purchased this product are encouraged to check their packaging carefully and avoid feeding the affected lot to their dogs.

For more details on the recall, please see the full article on The Dog Food Advisor.

Fromm Family Foods Issues a Voluntary Recall of Two Products Over Potential Metal Contamination

08/21/2026

Guess I’m going to be cooking a lot of eggs

What if one of the most overlooked parts of an egg could help protect your pet’s mobility?
New 2026 research is putting eggshell membrane in the spotlight, and the findings are especially interesting.
Scientists studied eggshell membrane peptides in canine cartilage cells exposed to an inflammatory signal associated with osteoarthritis. These peptides helped calm inflammatory signaling, while also decreasing inflammatory mediators and MMP-13, an enzyme involved in cartilage breakdown.
Eggshell membrane peptides helped preserve type II collagen and aggrecan, two essential components of healthy cartilage and the extracellular matrix.
And the research story doesn’t stop with dogs.
A new feline study found that eggshell membrane, particularly when combined with sodium hyaluronate, supported skin barrier function and coat health in young Ragdoll cats. Researchers also observed changes in antioxidant defenses and beneficial gut bacteria, offering another fascinating look at the connection between nutrition, the microbiome, and whole-body health.
Joint and tendon health isn’t simply about managing pain once the ability to move declines. Supporting healthy cartilage, muscle, body weight, nutrition, movement, and connective tissue throughout your pet’s life preserves their mobility and quality of life as they age.
Sometimes, an ingredient that seems almost too ordinary to notice, such as the membrane inside an eggshell, turns out to contain a fascinating collection of biological compounds worth paying attention to (especially the dose; to reach therapeutic levels you must supplement, read the full article in comments 🐾).

08/21/2026

The younger me would very much like to be involved with a gorgeous dog like this ( but would NOT want the ears cropped)

08/21/2026

"E-collars allow freedom..."

There's a boarding kennels near me who recently posted a picture of their two dogs wearing shock collars. I asked of they were e-collars or GPS. The reply was that they were e-collars. I further commented that I would not be using there services and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. The response-

"our dogs have freedom wearing e-collars"

There are two immediate points to this comment

1. You dog is off lead, sure, but they don't have "freedom" from being shocked or the threat of being shocked
2. A shock collar os not the only way to allow "freedom" for yoir dog - most dogs are more than capable of being "free" without being shocked - it's just that you can't be bothered doing it so you take them easy way out which the dog pays the price for. Again.

I'm not suggesting that they put shock collars on their clients' dogs but it's an excellent indicator of their view of how dogs should be treated.

I won't name the kennels, but whichever dog training services you use, please ask about what their philosophy is towards training and care.

I see dog walkers posts on socials where every dog is wearing a slip lead.

Trainers' pages where you can see the tell tale sign of the shock collar remote in the client's hand or on a lanyard.

Groomers who refer to dogs in their care in really disrespectful ways to the dog's being.

Our choices matter. So many people are uneducated and often desperate. Ask questions. Don't give your hard earned cash and the care of your dog to someone whose views don't align with your own.

As usual, I'm not interested in debating this or allowing comments which promote, endorse, justify, or excuse the use of these tools.

If you'd like to learn how to train without resorting to these methods, join our WhatsApp group.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BD36dZISt53GLPLW6JWQzn

08/21/2026

Pet PSA: Screwworms are rare, but awareness matters.

✔️ Check your pet daily for wounds that aren't healing or signs of pain
✔️ Monitor any cuts or injuries closely
✔️ If you suspect screwworms, contact your veterinarian immediately

Check out our blog for more info: https://www.rover.com/blog/screwworms-pet-care/

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

Puppy Biting Doesn't Mean Your Puppy Is Aggressive! 🦈
Puppy biting can be REALLY hard work.
Hands.
Feet.
Trouser legs.
Sleeves.
Anything that moves!
But puppy biting is usually a completely normal part of development.
Your puppy is exploring the world with their mouth, learning how to interact and often struggling to control their excitement.
And there's another BIG culprit…
😴 Being overtired.
A puppy who has missed their nap can suddenly turn into a tiny land shark!
Instead of only asking, “How do I stop the biting?”
Ask:
“What does my puppy need right now?”
Sometimes the answer is a nap rather than another training session.
🐾 If puppy life feels more exhausting than you expected, you're definitely not alone.
Fast puppy help 👉https://www.perfectpawz.co.uk/puppy-training

08/21/2026

Dogs and cats across the U.S. have been getting sick from contaminated pet food — and in many cases, their families had no idea anything was wrong until after the harm was done. Salmonella, nutritional deficiencies, undisclosed ingredients: the problems keep surfacing, and the warnings keep arriving too late.