Information on living with, training, and loving Dogs
We’re in a period where there have been a lot of people showing up at the house.
While I enjoy most people, I don’t love having any of them show up unannounced.
That’s because there’s a fair amount of management that goes into keeping Graidy and Wink safe since both of them are Houdini escape artists.
Open the door a slit and turn your back. GONE.
Open the door to come in and stand there talking like you don’t have … Read More
This is so sad. My heart is breaking for the state of the world. Truly, we have lost our way…
By Kim Kavin, Washington Post, April 12, 2018
An effort that animal rescuers began more than a decade ago to buy dogs for $5 or $10 apiece from commercial breeders has become a nationwide shadow market that today sees some rescuers, fueled by Internet fundraising, paying breeders $5,000 … Read More
Over the weekend, Andrew wanted to make a stop at a local minimart to pick up a few things on the way back home. It was a cold, dark evening, and the parking lot of this little strip mall wasn’t very well lit.
Since I was not in need of anything, I stayed in the car while Andrew hopped out to go get his items. A moment later I watched a guy walk up, put his old beagle mix in … Read More
Just pulled four dear ticks, the carriers of Lyme disease, off of Wink today — in March. Let the Lyme wars begin! :(
I’m too bummed to explain our Lyme protocol for you today, but I will give a refresher soon. Until then, you can review here where I have a photo of what a Lyme bulls-eye looks like, and here where I outline various options for tackling Lyme.… Read More
Several times a day, Graidy comes and sits on my lap, and then gently presses his forehead to my forehead, with his nose to my nose. He does this with deliberate precision, until we are staring eye-to-eye. Then he closes his eyes and breathes his warm breath on my face. I feel his body relax. We stay like this, merged, for several seconds.
I wonder, is he trying to read my mind? I’ve no doubt that if he could climb … Read More
I’m helping a friend look for a new puppy. One of the breeds that made it to her short list was the Papillon. With a little more research, it wasn’t long before the cute little Papillon got crossed off.
Why?
The Code.
What is The Code, you ask?
It’s the positive spin breeders put on their breed descriptions, endorsed by the AKC. And, I believe, it’s a major contributor as to why so many dogs wind up in shelters and … Read More
Don’t waste your time vacuuming; there isn’t a vacuum on the market that gets all pet hair. I know because I’ve tried them all. To pick up ALL dog hair, use a squeegee and a little water in a spray bottle. Mist the furniture or rugs with the spray bottle and use the squeegee to loosen the hair. You’ll gather every single pet hair, leaving furniture and rugs perfectly clean.
For rugs use a … Read More
You have a barking dog that just won’t stop. You’re at your wit’s end and you’ll try anything. Or you’re looking for a quick no-training method. Are bark collars the safe and humane solution?
[Video was removed from YouTube.]
Nuf said about that.
Instead, take a couple of minutes and try this method to get your dog to stop barking. Works like a charm. If you don’t want to wind up with a neurotic dog, there are no shortcuts.… Read More
