Overcrowded animal shelters and overworked shelter workers: What can be done?
The difficulty in obtaining routine veterinary care may have contributed to the surge in pet overpopulation – but since that’s a long-term problem in...
What would make you sign up for a dog-training class?
I’ve paid to take group dog-training classes a number of times – even though I know how to and am even pretty good at...
Rainy Day Activities for Your Dog
You will not catch me, a native of drought-ridden northern California, complaining about how many days of rain, we have had, no ma’am, nor...
How to Care For Your Dogs When You’re Not Well
All the world’s viruses seem to be having their way with us at the moment. I don’t think I know anybody who isn’t sick...
Buy This Book!
Doggie Language: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about canine behavior, whether they are 8 years old or 80.
Dog Nail Trimming Thoughts
No one likes trimming their dogs’ nails. But it has to be done. Owning multiple dogs makes it worse! But when I notice everyone...
Boone Has Lost His Off-Leash Privileges
I walk with my dogs in a number of locations in my local “wildlife area,” which consists of thousands of acres of land surrounding...
Happy Thanksgiving!
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful that my dogs are all still present and that we’re all healthy enough to enjoy our traditional Thanksgiving day hike...
A Dog Owner’s Risks and Responsibilities
I do things with my dogs practically every day that would make other dog owners frown with disapproval – and my friends and neighbors...
Behavior-Modifying Drugs Save Many Dogs Lives
I’ve seen some incredibly dramatic transformations when dogs were medicated for their chronic fear or anxiety.
When the cost of pet health insurance rises…
I just received the annual renewal notice for my senior dog’s pet health insurance policy, and, sadly, made the decision not to renew it....
Boone & The Squirrel: Recall When Your Dog is Distracted
Dog trainers like to say that our dogs do what works for them. The thought behind that concept is that dogs are extraordinarily good...
Latest Blog
Old Dog, New Dog
I had the opportunity to read a pre-publication proof of WDJ contributor Kathy Callahan’s newest book, co-authored with Helen St. Pierre, and I can’t recommend the book strongly enough. Old Dog, New Dog helps dog owners anticipate the potential pitfalls of bringing a new young dog into a home already inhabited by a senior dog—and adroitly steer around them in order to seamlessly create a joyful, trauma-free blended canine family.