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The Things We Do For Love

Nicole Wilde  |  Fri, 01/16/2009 - 16:24

Forget romantic love. I’m talking here about the over-the-top, I’ll-do-anything-for-my-fur-kid insanity that so many of us dog moms and dads are prone to. There are the serious things, like spending the better part of your life savings on a pricey operation for your dog—whether he’s 4 months or 14 years old. There are things that fall into the “I can’t believe I’m doing this” category, like finding yourself outside doing tracking with your dogs in sub-zero weather because it makes them so darned happy.

 

Diggers Anonymous

Dr. Jon Klingborg  |  Fri, 01/16/2009 - 09:14

“Hi.  My name’s Trencher, and I haven’t dug a hole in 25 days.” “Hello, Trencher,” howled a chorus of dog voices.  The next meeting of Digger’s Anonymous was underway.
    
Trencher had more to say.  “I dig when I’m bored.  As soon as that dirt starts flying, I get into the zone.  Let’s face it, digging is fun.”  Trencher looked off into space, uncovering a good memory.  
    
Trencher’s Sponsor interrupted the daydream, “what made you stop digging?”
    
“I didn’t stop—at first.   My owner just yelled and yelled at me.  I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t have any toys, my owner rarely took me for fun walks, and 15 minutes of play after his work day just wasn’t enough exercise.”
    
“So, what changed things?”
    

 

Are male and female dogs different to train?

Patricia McConnell  |  Thu, 01/15/2009 - 13:25

This is an honest question . . . I’m truly curious what you think. The editor of the Bark Magazine asked me to write my next column on whether male and female dogs need to be trained differently, and whether they perform differently. I have some thoughts about it, but I am primarily interested in what YOU think! I’d especially love to hear from trainers or people who have had a good number of dogs, so that they have seen a good ’sample size’ to use to compare the sexes.

 
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Dowsing For Doggies & Other Contemplations During Arctic Air Effects

Rachel Friedman  |  Thu, 01/15/2009 - 07:32

A multitude of options exist when one acquires a dog -- from the impulsive "just gotta have that cute face" to the well thought out and sometimes extraordinary level of patience some people have waiting for that specific pup from that specific breeder's specific mating for specific purpose and of course all the other options for selection inbetween those two.

 
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Politically correct dogs?

Laurie C Willia...  |  Wed, 01/14/2009 - 23:55

I kind of feel sorry for the Obamas. Well, not sorry sorry, but I do feel a little badly for them, Malia and Sasha in particular. Most of us are able to select the dogs we share our lives with based on our own personal needs and desires. It's usual a very private decision and we don't have anyone else to answer to other than our own family members. One thing is certain, we've never had an entire nation waiting with bated breath to see and scrutinize what dog we pick. However Malia and Sasha didn't get that chance. The moment the soon-to-be President announced he was getting a puppy for them, (ha!

 

"Qualifications" - The eye does deceive?

Shannon McKay  |  Wed, 01/14/2009 - 13:16

I suppose in any industry that is not subject to statutory regulation, courses that tout supposed qualification will prosper. It's a sad fact that the public are not aware that a "qualification" is not necessarily so and that they appear to be impressed with any piece of official looking paper.

I would guess that the answer is making dog training and behaviour consulting a statutory profession and people operating without the legally required licence are in fact breaking the law. However the problem is that many trainers and behaviourists are part-timers. This is not their fulltime profession and if they had to comply with all the legalities of statutory regulation they would more than likely not bother. Many of these people are realy good at what they do so this would be a profound loss to the industry.

 
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Hipless Joe Jackson

Sarah Whitehead  |  Wed, 01/14/2009 - 04:09

Introducing Jackson. He’s a Chihuahua x Jack Russell. I know you think that’s a Jackahuahua, but to me it's a Chiwussell.

Here’s how we met.

There I was, doing a practical workshop for trainers at my local welfare centre. There he was, fresh in and anxious, trembling by the kennel bars. Our eyes met, my fingers touched his soft face, took in his shivering form and his attempts to meld himself through the bars to reach me. It was love at first sight.

Once out of the kennel, he proved to be even more charming. Gorgeous with people, cute, bright and sweet. At only five months old he was admittedly, snarling and barking at every other dog in the vicinity, like a miniature whirling dervish, but hey, what’s that amongst friends – it looked to me very much like the symptoms of having been in a kennel environment for last three weeks – and anyway, love is blind!

 

Be Prepared...But Leave Some Expectations at the Shelter Door

Nicole Wilde  |  Tue, 01/13/2009 - 17:47

I spent a large part of the 90s as a volunteer and then Volunteer Coordinator for an L.A. city shelter. One of my duties was to show dogs to prospective adopters. Over and over, I would see a curious thing happen: a family would be interested in an adorable, wriggling, friendly-looking dog. They’d pet the dog through the kennel bars, and perhaps even let the dog lick their hands or faces. It was clear that they were smitten. The mother would then call me over, point to the kennel card, and ask what kind of dog a “Staff X” was.

 

What Is A Shelter Dog?

Valerie Pollard  |  Tue, 01/13/2009 - 15:05

What is a “shelter dog”, anyway?  Sometimes it seems that they are separated into a unique category, as if they are “different” somehow from all of the dogs living in homes, or being bred endlessly by breeders.  Yet, of course, they all started somewhere, obviously.  How did all of these faces that stare at us from behind the chain link get there?

There is a pyramid of cause:  it starts with those who breed.  It goes on to those who sell for profit, such as pet stores.  It continues with those who buy a puppy and either through ignorance or laziness or life circumstances the pup grows up “wrong” – lacking what they need to survive the reality of a dog’s life in the society of mankind.

 
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Perfect Moments

Rachel Friedman  |  Tue, 01/13/2009 - 08:02

I define perfect moments as those times in which I suddenly become aware, if even for just a moment, and sometimes in the most innocuous of circumstances, that everything is aligned perfectly and I almost feel like bursting with joy. Just as suddenly the next moment might tank, but I do savor those golden tinged moments often. And I feel blessed to have them regularly.

It's winter here in Cleveland, OH, and we just got our first substantial snowstorm of the season this past weekend. My body still aches a wee bit from the nearly 3 hours I spent painstakingly shoveling out my driveway, front walk and steps the past few days. But I'm grateful my body still can shovel snow! The dogs might have missed their beloved walks, but all 3 had lots of opportunity to frolic in the snow and explore the winter wonderland. And I made it up to them today.

 

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