What is it like bringing a new foster dog home? It’s different every time. But I thought I’d share Titus’s first few hours with us to give you a taste. Titus – The Beginning 3:00 p.m. Two awesome SPCA staffers pull up in front of the house (their willingness to drop Titus off seriously decreased …
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5 Reasons to Teach Your Dog To Swim (and 4 Not To)
Ever since Honey was a puppy, I hoped she would swim. But she just wasn’t interested. Finally, this weekend, she paddled a short distance and I was overjoyed. Why is it so important that my dog know how to swim? 1. I want company. I love to swim. My husband sinks like a rock. Is …
Stay Open to New Things – Good for the Dog; Good for You
One phrase pisses me off—”I hate.” Someone once said to me, “I hate cheese.” How could a lactose-tolerant American reject a food product with thousands of varieties? Saying “I hate” closes us off. It stops us from seeing the good in something. I avoid saying it. And I’m glad Honey doesn’t say it either. Honey …
Dogs Should Sleep Outdoors
This won’t make me very popular. But I believe dogs should sleep outdoors. And so should their people. Dogs are less likely to suffer from what writer Richard Louv called nature deficit disorder. But it’s not for our lack of trying. We skip walks when it’s cold, rainy, or snowy. Or worse, we skip walks …
Agility – Why Should Dogs Have All the Fun?
As K9 Kamp Komes to a Klose (I am not going to miss all the K’s; there is a reason they’re worth 5 points in Scrabble) I find myself wondering what fitness really means. If you read through the posts of my fellow kampers, and even my own, you’ll find a heavy emphasis on aerobic …
How to Introduce Children to Your Dog – Use A Clicker
How can a clicker help you safely introduce a child to your dog? Watch and learn. 5 Steps to Introducing a Child to Your Dog 1. Make sure the child has a space where they can watch the dog from a protected spot. Behind a baby gate or from a crib should work. 2. Allow …
5 Reasons I Rely on My Vet in a DIY World
Thanks to the internet, you can: learn how to castrate your dog (don’t; it’s terribly cruel) diagnose animal illnesses buy home vaccinations “prevent” and “cure” disease and regulate your pet’s diet. So why does anyone bother going to the vet? Here are the 5 reasons I take my dog Honey to the vet for her …
Dealing with a Fitness Fail
It’s the eternal question: If your fitness plans go wrong, do you curl up on the couch with a bag of chips or pick yourself up and make a new plan? Because my plans for K9 Kamp went wrong this week and could have caused a big fitness fail. Let me refresh your memory. K9 …
What if Dogs Planned Summer Vacations?
If your dog planned your summer vacation, how would it be different? ♦ Instead of calling “shotgun” to see who rides in the front, dogs would bark and the last one to let out a woof has to drive while everyone else gets to chase the car. ♦ The people would go to the kennel and come …
Taste Doesn’t Matter – Good for the Dog; Good for You
Unless you’re talking about kibble, taste is the least important thing ever. So why did I ever make such a big deal about it? Honey Has Good Taste in Dogs It probably wouldn’t surprise you that Honey is attracted to Golden Retrievers. If she spots one in a crowd or on the street, she wants …