"If my clients could only see me now!", I thought to myself as I laid in bed this morning. Myrtle my 27 pound cattle dog was standing on me, and my border terrier Edgar had just clawed me in the lip as he jumped over my head trying to evade Myrtle's athletic play maneuvers. I must say, though, that dogs jumping on me and blood oozing from my lip do get me out of bed much better than an alarm clock ever has! The thing is, I don't necessarily want to train my dogs first thing in the morning.... or when I get home from work. I love what I do, but when I'm at home I just want to hang out with my dogs and relax. Of course, rude awakenings aren't relaxing, so I guess we're back to that whole training thing again. Anyone know a trainer that will spend the night with me and teach my dogs some better early morning manners? Oh, well, at least I don't blame the dogs... I understand it is my responsibility to either train different behaviors or accept what I have.

July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with canines in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for their dogs. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs. Last year, I found a lost dog on the 4th of July. He was obviously a well fed, well groomed, and well behaved dog that escaped his yard when he heard the fireworks. When I called our local Humane Society, I was informed that it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.

Eight Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it's hot, air conditioning will help.

It seems no matter where you look on the internet there are always conversations about TV trainers to be found. We have a few trainers to chose from here in the states. Those include Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channel's "The Dog Whisperer", Victoria Stilwell of "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet, Andrea Arden of "Underdog to Wonderdog" on Animal Planet as well as the various trainers on "Barking Mad", also on Animal Planet. (correct me if I have forgotten anyone)

Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day and lots of people who don’t normally take their dog along with them to their workplace will do so today. Hopefully it will go well. A dog’s got to be well trained, socialized, and have a solid temperament in order to both enjoy the experience and serve as a model canine ambassador to help persuade more businesses to become dog-friendly year round. So please only take your dog to work with you if he or she is ready for it.

There are many benefits to dog ownership, such as mood elevation and stress reduction, most of which could also benefit people in the workplace.