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Information on living with, training, and loving Dogs

Is Your Dog a Thinker, a Doer, or a Watcher? Science Has Answers

/ Dogs in General / By / Leave a Comment

What’s Inside Your Dog’s Mind? New Research Reveals How Breed Shapes Intelligence

lineup of dogs

We all know that a Great Dane looks nothing like a Chihuahua, but what about their minds? A massive study from the University of Helsinki recently tested 1,002 dogs across 13 breeds to find out.

The researchers used a series of “puzzles” to measure things like memory, impulse control, and how well dogs read human body language. Use the following Breed-by-Breed Cheat Sheet to find the answers. The … Read More

When Your Dog Doesn’t Love Walks

/ Dog Training / By / Leave a Comment

Arrow australian shepherd with 2 cavaliersMy three dogs in this pack are an interesting bunch. To say the least… While most dogs do love walks, Arrow (our Aussie) will NOT leave the front yard if Riley and Kenzie (our Cavaliers) aren’t right out the door with him. And I mean no amount of pulling, coaxing, treating will get him to budge. Either they go or he doesn’t. Simple as that.

And then there’s Kenzie. She’s my tough girl. Until someone tests her, and then she … Read More

Sometimes Silence Isn’t Golden

/ Life of Riley / By / Leave a Comment

Riley is the sweetest creature on the planet. He is a no-fuss-no-muss dog. He knows his job is to pump love into the world, and he excels at it.

He only has one flaw.

cavalier outside sitting on a deck looking in through the sliding door

He never barks.

I’d stepped out on the deck to take a call because the reception is better out there. I didn’t realize he had slipped out behind me, and I wasn’t thinking to look for him when I came back inside.

An hour passed. Not … Read More

“Jump Down” Syndrome & Why You Should Be Using Dog Ramps

/ Dogs in General / By / 2 Comments

Car dog rampEver heard of the term “Jump Down Syndrome”? Me neither, until my Aussie, Kiera (who was 12 at the time), jumped out of my car at the Vet’s for a routine checkup. That simple jump triggered the onset of Vestibular Disease, which she battled for the rest of her life. The irony of that moment—taking her in to keep her healthy and instead setting off something that would plague her to her death—still gets me.

My vet called it “Jump … Read More

Silver Linings

/ My Dogs and Me, Nature / By / Leave a Comment

Arrow has been dealing with allergies, and getting his meds straightened out has been tricky. Stomach upsets have been a problem. Last night was not a good night for him. At 3 AM he needed to go out. Not my favorite time to be up and outside in the cold. So imagine my delight at being rewarded with getting to see this!

moon reflected in a pond

All the while being serenaded by a Great Horned Owl in the background. Mother Nature, she sure is … Read More

What I Really Think About Having 2 Dogs vs 3 Dogs

/ Dog Training, Dogs in General, The Mail Bag / By / 218 Comments

[Make sure to read through the comments. There are hundreds where I answer specific questions that may speak directly to your situation.]

3-aussies-playingQ: From the Mailbag: Natasha asks, I currently have two male dogs (a Labrador 5 yrs and a Yorkshire Terrier 2 yrs) and they both get along great. I’ve always wanted a Rottweiler. Do you think it would be a bad idea getting a 3rd dog? What sex would you say would be better? Thanks.

A: Natasha,

… Read More
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