I am at my client’s and we are talking about how her tiny Chihuahua pup loves chewing on deer antlers – the ones made especially for dogs. “Good, good, I tell her, it is great that Katie enjoys these so much! The point I am trying to make is that giving dogs something to chew…
The dogs and I are playing our usual soccer game in the morning. I see Rio turn towards Deuce, as they both are trying to get to the orange ball, and she playfully grabs his tail in her mouth and gives it a tug. Deuce’s focus is on the ball and potentially landing so he’s…
Dogs are incredibly social beings that thrive as companion animals. Isolation, for this reason, is very hard on most dogs and as such a welfare issue for the dog. Isolation is hard on dogs at all stages but is extremely difficult on young puppies. We can for sure make the lives of “outside dogs” more…
Rio and Deuce have finished eating dinner and as we do every night, I proceed to the laundry room just after having said out loud: “Does anyone here want a bone?” Immediately I hear hurried paw steps towards the laundry room in anticipation of “dessert”. I have been trained well by these two and I…
While taking a break from playing with the whippet, I spot Rio peeing on one of her toys. The coffee cup that I am holding in my other hand prevents me from reaching towards it in an effort to stop her from continuing peeing on it because at some point during the game I am…
The following advice is for people whose dogs tend to get over excited when someone comes to their home because they love interacting with people and not because they are concerned about who is in their home or dogs that are apprehensive about interacting with a “stranger”. From my perspective there are a few options…
Dog parents have learned about the importance of taking their pups to puppy classes to ensure their puppy will not only be a delight-of-a-dog to be around, but also one that is comfortable and thriving in all sorts of circumstances. In other words: well socialized. But what is socialization? Socialization is the process of exposing…
I get a call from a gentleman that has just adopted a puppy. He tells me he has had many dogs throughout his life and that he is well-versed in “all things dogs,” but he feels that this time around he needs some help because he is not sure how to handle his young keep’s…
Here is a not-so-trivia question for you…. Of all the things that your young puppy needs to learn pronto is… 1. To interact with friendly adult dogs. 2. To avoid eating foods that can make him sick. 3. To control the pressure of his bite on human skin. If you checked number #3 you deserve…
If you just got a new puppy a congratulations is in order. Now that you have your puppy at home, you will have to have all sorts of protocols in place so that your puppy can thrive and you can get some sleep while your home remains undisturbed. Puppy-hood can be a real challenge for…