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Dogs in General

Info, Tips, Health

The Newest Animal Linguist on the Block

/ Dogs in General, Nature / By / 7 Comments

Alex, the gray parrot, and Washoe, the chimpanzee, (both recently deceased) are back in the news in this month’s National Geographic Magazine, in an article about understanding the animal’s mind. In it, the newest kid on the “smarts” block is featured. Are you ready? Yep, a Border Collie named Betsy, who knows more than 300 words. Look to being hearing lots more about her.

In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy this New York Times tribute to Alex and … Read More

Teach Your Dog Hand Signals and Save Her Life

/ Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By / 12 Comments

Nutmeg saved her old dog, Ezra’s life today. From all the way across the front yard and down across the street!

Ezra, Nutmeg’s beloved 12 year old boxer, got out the front door and wandered across the street, before Nutmeg had a chance to realize. With four kids and a busy house, it happens. But Nutmeg did see Ezra in time to watch the speeding car heading straight for her, as she was about to step into the street.

Nutmeg … Read More

When Should You Start Training Your Puppy

/ Dog Training, Dogs in General / By / 16 Comments

australian-shepherd-puppy-copy.jpgEvery encounter we have with our dogs is a training session– whether we know it or not.

So I start training consciously right from the very first day I get my puppy home. This keeps me focused on my behavior and interactions with my puppy, as well as hers with me. Doing so makes it less likely for an unwanted behavior to get very far before I can nip it in the bud. Good communication and redirection are key.

For … Read More

“Dogtown” on National Geographic TV

/ Dogs in General / By / 9 Comments

This Friday, January 4 at 9 pm ET/PT, a wonderful new short series is starting on the National Geographic Channel. Dogtown focuses on the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

From the Best Friends Press Release:

National Geographic Channel Goes Inside Dogtown: Covering 33,000 Acres, It’s One of The Nation’s Largest No-kill Animal Facilities. New Series Goes Behind the Scenes at Sanctuary for Hundreds of Dogs in Need, From Puppy Mill Rescues to Canine Medical Emergencies.

In this country … Read More

101 Ways to Help Breed Rescue Without Adopting or Fostering

/ Dogs in General / By / 10 Comments

Having found two wonderful dogs through rescue, and having acquired several dear human friends in the process, I’ve become very familiar with not only how hard these people work, but what they accomplish with so little. So, especially, during this time of year, I try to do what I can to pitch in. It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Here are a list of ideas to help inspire you. (Your local shelter can use many of the same … Read More

Chocolate Danger Chart for Dogs

/ Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By / 7 Comments

Hopefully, everyone knows that small amounts of certain kinds of chocolate (especially the dark chocolates) can kill your dog.

Jo, a reader, had a heart-stopping day when one of her dogs got into a box of chocolates. She found this National Geographic Chocolate Chart which lists different kinds of chocolates and lets you determine by your dog’s weight whether you need to rush your dog to the vet or let nature take its course.

To change the weight to what … Read More

Dangerous People Food for Dogs

/ Dogs in General / By / 12 Comments

Here we are, at the beginning of the holiday season, with lots of cooking and entertaining going on. Here is a list of foods that can be potentially poisonous for your dogs. Perhaps you’re already aware of most or all of them. I found a few that surprised me.

Here’s to safe and happy holiday season for you and your pets.

Foods and Substances That Could be Deadly for Your Dog:

  • Alcoholic Beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
… Read More

Control vs Self-Control

/ Dog Training, Dogs in General / By / 19 Comments

There is a trainer who shall remain nameless who believes in controlling a dog by what she calls the “Down Restraint Technique.” Translation: Alpha rolling a dog and keeping it pinned to the ground with an elbow in the dog’s throat, leaning on it’s side and having several people hold down the feet spread apart–yep, several people are required to pile on — until it submits.

The point of this?! Here’s the trainer’s rational: “What we’re doing is basically ‘de-throning’ … Read More

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