Author

Jen Reeder

Jen Reeder is an award-winning freelance journalist who specializes in pet and lifestyle features. Her rescued Lab mix, Rio, and senior poodle, Peach, provide plenty of story ideas. She has written about pets for a variety of publications, including Family Circle, Modern Dog, The Christian Science Monitor, The Dallas Morning News, PawCulture, AKC Family Dog and Today.com, and for nonprofits like the American Animal Hospital Association and the Sierra Club. Jen is proud to be president of the Dog Writers Association of America and is also a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Colorado Press Association, and the Colorado Authors' League. Though Jen is a nomad at heart, living everywhere from Seattle to Australia, she currently resides in Durango, Colorado.

Articles by Jen Reeder

7 Ways to Get Fit with Fido!

With our busy lives, it can be a challenge to carve out as much time for fitness as we’d like, both for our dogs and ourselves. Diane Silver, a trainer who teaches tricks, agility and fitness classes for dogs and produces the blog, To Dog With Love, shares fun ways to sneak in exercise with our dogs.

24 Ways to Spend a Snow Day with Your Dog

Snowed in? Here are 24 indoor activities to enjoy with your dog when you can’t go outside.

How to Start Skijoring and Bikejoring With Your Dog

If you’re looking for a fun new way to get outside and have an adventure with your dog, you might want to check out skijoring (if you’re into snow sports) or bikejoring (if you’re a cyclist). In these two “mushing” sports, you and your dog are connected by a tether so that your dog can help pull you to beautiful places. It’s a great way to cover a lot of terrain, obey local leash laws, and learn to work together. The best part is, virtually any healthy dog that weighs at least 30 pounds can try it.

Pro Tips for Taking Perfect Pics of Your Pup

Professional pet photographer Lori Fusaro shares tips for taking awesome photos of your four-legged friends. She also shares heart-warming pictures of rescued senior pups from the book, “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” which features inspiring stories of second-chance dogs like German shepherd Cody, who became a misunderstood shelter dog after he retired from police work.

My Dog is a B.A.R.K. Ranger – Yours Can Be Too!

Jen Reeder and her adventure pup, Rio, explore Montezuma Castle National Monument to learn about the National Park Services B.A.R.K. ranger program. The initiative is a simple but brilliant way to promote responsible pet handling while also helping make national parks and monuments more welcoming to dogs.

Dogs Change Lives! Rescued Pups Inspire Bryce LaDuc to Live Life Off Leash

“I tell people all the time, ‘If you want a life full of adventure, go adopt a dog,’” Bryce LaDuc says. “If you’re looking to be inspired, and you’re looking to be outdoors, rescuing a dog not only changes their life, but it’s definitely going to change yours. They’re going to help you accomplish things that you didn’t even know you wanted to accomplish. They are going to push you to try new things. It’s truly amazing.” Read more of Bryce’s inspirational story that all started when she rescued two border collie mixes.

Zuke’s Pack Picks: 5 of Our Favorite Dog-Friendly Autumn Adventures

No matter where you are, there’s an awesome autumn adventure nearby. In celebration of the season, our employees shared a few of their most beloved dog-friendly fall trails from all across the U.S.!

Must-Have Gear for Hiking With Your Dog

Like so many dog lovers, one of my absolute favorite things to do is hit the trails with my pooch, Rio. If you’re as stoked as I am to head outside with your dog, check out some must-have doggy hiking gear to help ensure a fun and healthy trip.

Which Camping is Best for Your Dog: Backcountry Camping, Car Camping or “Glamping”?

The range of camping experiences is as varied as our dogs’ personalities. Of course, most dogs love the outdoors, but all of our dogs are individuals. Learn which type of camping is right for you and your pup.

Rescued Dogs Help Protect Endangered Species as Conservation Canines

Conservation Canines is a program of the University of Washington’s Center for Conservation Biology. Their talented team of handlers train rescue dogs to help researchers collect information about threatened and endangered species. By fostering a culture of learning and mutual trust, the keen canine nose is working in service to science. Learn more about this amazing group through the story of two incredible rescue dogs, Sampson and Chester.

30 Reasons Why Your Dog is Better Than Your Ex

Looking for unconditional love? Here are 30 reasons why your dog is better than your ex.

Labor of Love: Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

From doggie dates to puppy preschool, follow Dog Blog writer Jen Reeder as she spends a week volunteering with devoted dog lovers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah — the largest no-kill animal refuge in America.

7 Tips for Adopting a Dog During the Holidays

Susie Hansen, director of Abandoned Pet Rescue, shares tips on adopting a dog during the holidays to find the perfect fit for your family.

Meet Two Incredible Dogs: Naki’o The Bionic Dog and Surf Dog Ricochet

When pet parents accept and embrace their dogs as they are, those pups can blossom in unexpected and life-changing ways. I had the chance to talk with the owners of two incredible dogs: Naki’o the Bionic Dog and Surf Dog Ricochet. Not only are these dogs inspiring, but they are proof that every dog and their person can work together to make the world a better place.

Volunteering With Your Dog – Worth a Little Extra Time!

Life has gotten so busy, hasn’t it? It seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done (because there aren’t!). It’s so easy to get swept up in the craziness of day-to-day life that it can be a challenge to carve out time for activities that help us stay energized.

27 Signs You’re an Awesome Dog Mom

I can’t believe how lucky I am to be a dog mom. My Lab mix, Rio, brings so much joy and laughter and fun to my life – I love him like crazy! It’s something that’s impossible to explain to people who have never had a dog. Maybe that’s why many of my favorite people are dog moms – we share a special bond with our pups, and know loving our dogs enriches our lives in countless ways. There was even a study that showed gazing into a dog’s eyes produces the maternal bonding/happiness hormone oxytocin. So science agrees: life is better with dogs. That’s worth celebrating!

9 Ways Your Dog Can Help You Create Work-Life Balance

“I wish I worked more,” said no one on their deathbed ever. Yet finding a healthy work-life balance is a challenge, especially in this Digital Age when we are connected to our devices 24/7, on-call for our jobs, checking messages afterhours, on weekends and even on vacations. Working too much can lead to stress, burnout and health issues, but it can be hard to find time for things that we enjoy and that help us recharge our batteries. Luckily, there are lots of ways to find work-life balance through our dogs — just one more reason why they are man’s (and woman’s) best friend.

Thinking Positively About Dog Training with Victoria Stilwell

I’m thrilled Victoria Stilwell took the time to chat with me since she is extremely busy with all of her projects. The charming English trainer is the star of Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog,” CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, editor-in-chief of Positively.com, author of numerous best-selling books, including her latest book “Train Your Dog Positively,” and founder of the nonprofit Victoria Stilwell Foundation, which provides financial assistance and canine behavior expertise to assistance dog organizations and smaller rescue shelters.

Celebrating 20 Years: Zuke’s Founder Patrick Meiering Remembers the Past and Looks to the Future

It all started with a guy named Patrick and his dog named Zuke . . .

Dog Lovers: Six Reasons to Get “Appy!”

Smart phones have changed daily life for all of us, and it seems like there’s an app for everything.

Documentary “Dogs on the Inside” Celebrates Second Chances for Dogs and People

Looking for a great movie to watch while snuggling with your dog on the couch? If so, check out “Dogs on the Inside.” It’s an inspiring documentary about prison inmates who train homeless dogs for adoption.

Pet Partners: Volunteering with Your Dog, Supporting Your Community

There are so many benefits to volunteering, but one that we, as dog lovers, hold dear is the opportunity to share the unconditional love and boundless joy our dogs have with others. Bonus benefit: we get to spend more time bonding with our dogs on a regular basis. If you are looking to volunteer with your pup, we recommend checking out Pet Partners.