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Why Do We Have Dogs?

Roger Abrantes | Thu, 08/11/2011 - 16:44

We all have dogs because it pleases us and we feel good about having them. One way or another, dog ownership satisfies one or more of our specific needs. The problem is when we don’t realize it or don’t want to admit it. When we do, we are grateful, we know that we are in debt to them and we want to pay them back (or forward), preferably with dividends. When we don’t, we fall into a series of pseudo explanations, easy interpretations, knee-jerk solutions—and that’s abuse.

I have a deep respect for all life independently of species and race. It appears to me that the dog/owner relationship, in this one aspect, should not be much different from any other relationship, be it with a spouse, a lover, a friend, a parent, a child. We should be content with what we get and not ask for what we can’t get. We should never take any relationship for granted. Every new day should be one more day we should feel privileged to share with that particular living being.

International Assistance Dog Week Har-Vest Hurrah

Rachel Friedman | Sun, 08/07/2011 - 21:42

It's that time of year again -- International Assistance Dog Week. The week was created to recognize all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability related limitations.

The goals of IADW are to:

The Glass of Water Analogy

Lisa Whelan | Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:42

Stimulus…arousal levels….sub-threshold….over-threshold ….

puppy training, Border Collie Guinness at 8 weeks.

The Curious Incident of the Hedgehog in the Night

Sue McCabe | Sat, 07/23/2011 - 12:20

We have a creature living in our garden. Several nights ago the dogs were all showing a lot of interest around the vegetable patch, an area usually out of bounds and not at all worth checking out as it’s boring. When I looked, I was surprised by a very large hedgehog who had sensibly retreated into a football sized spiky mass. Our garden is thoroughly enclosed with close panel fencing so the creature must have moved into the garden while small enough to fit through the fence and then enjoyed a feast big enough to grow and grow. No wonder the slugs haven’t been too bad this year.

20 Ways to Help Dogs in Need

Nicole Wilde | Fri, 07/22/2011 - 09:04

There is a well-known quote by Gandhi that says, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” So many of us are dismayed when we hear stories about dogs in need. We want to help, but how best to do that can be daunting. I’d like to share some ideas with you. The offerings in this post are fairly concrete and straightforward. In a future post I’ll offer more creative ideas.

Shelter:

1. Volunteer at your local shelter. If you don’t want to be in the shelter environment, you can still participate in community adoption days.

2. Donate blankets, food, or crates to your local shelter or rescue group. Check the organization’s website to see what they need. You could even spearhead a blanket drive in your community.

3. Take it a step further: Ask if you can post the organization’s wish list to your website, and/or make signs for local pet supply stores. Collect the goods and deliver them.

Comments on Dog Training.....

Valerie Pollard | Wed, 07/20/2011 - 09:15

There have been several comments lately on various dog lists regarding inaccurate perceptions of dog sports such as Schutzhund, assuming in general that because dogs are learning to "bite" that it must be an out-of-control and bad thing. I began to realize that this was bothering me on a deeper level than perhaps it should - but why? And then it occurred to me.

Bubba Moves on, Har-Vest Sizzler Special

Rachel Friedman | Tue, 07/19/2011 - 22:04

Six months of nurturing, training, reinforcing, encouraging, stifling, socializing, supervising and loving one fluff of a golden puppy service dog in training in a metamorphosis from hapless to hopeful leads me to the eve of her permanent transition into her working home. Bubba moves out tomorrow!!

To celebrate her accomplishments, A Better Pet LLC is pleased to announce the Summer Sizzler Special.

Purchase a Har-Vest or a Har-Vest/Euroleash Special anytime now until midnight tonight (Tuesday, July 20) and get FIFTY PERCENT OFF!!!!

Shock collar ban enforced in Wales with hefty fine for owner

Karen Wild | Tue, 07/19/2011 - 16:31

A dog owner in Wales was today fined £2000 plus ordered to pay another £1000 in court costs (almost $5000) for using a shock collar on his dog.

Shock collars (e-collars) were banned by the Welsh Assembly in March last year. The owner, Philip Pook, used the collar to contain the dog within the boundaries of his home, magistrates were told. Pook claimed he had not realised the collars were illegal in Wales.

Dougie, the collie in question, was found wandering a beach near his home in Ogmore-by-Sea, wearing the illegal collar. It appears that the dog had still escaped over the boundary wall at the home even though it was wearing the very collar intended to prevent such an escape. Magistrates were also told that the dog had a local reputation for escaping beyond the shock boundary and was well-known as 'the dog with the shock collar'.

Bubbles 8 month review

Rachel Friedman | Tue, 07/12/2011 - 21:09

Adolescence summed up in just over a minute. In this video, 12 year old Sophie and 8 month old Bubbles, both in the throes of adolescence, test each other. Note how both check in with "the mama" (i.e., me the videographer) and upon being ignored, are forced to deal with each other. I love how Sophie remains patient and finally gets Bubbles to listen despite what feels like a long line of ignoring. The big reward is a love fest. My favorite is how Sophie gets a hands on feeling of what it's like for a parent to stay true and patient to a child.

Six month review

Three Month Review