You got a puppy – and it’s turning out to be a lot more challenging than you expected. I mean, you knew getting a dog would be hard work, but holy crap, you were not prepared for THIS. Sound about right? A few years ago, I wrote a blog post called “Thinking of Returning Your… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Puppies
Puzzle Toys: A Beginner’s Guide to The Most Useful Dog Toys Ever
In order to not go crazy, your dog needs a way to exercise his brain. As we’ve already discussed, dogs are mostly working animals. Even your spoiled mutt, currently lying on the floor sniffing his own toes, is descended from a long line of wily, problem-solving critters who spent their days earning every meal. Put… Continue Reading
9 Ways To Exercise Your Dog Without Walking Him
Sometimes you just can’t walk your dog. Like if she pulls on leash too hard, or freaks out at every animal, jogger, or wind-blown plastic bag that crosses her path. Outside of training-session walks designed to rid your pup of these issues, you might want to forget about walks for now. And sometimes the weather… Continue Reading
Whatever Tomorrow Brings: Important Things to Know Before (and After) You Adopt a Dog
It’s May 1st, 2001. Incubus’s ridiculously overplayed new song “Drive” is on the radio. My dad is chauffeuring me to the humane society, and I’m in the backseat trying not to hyperventilate. Three days ago, I adopted my first puppy. Okay, technically, my dad adopted her. Something about me being a minor. Whatevs. I paid… Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Get Your Dog to Listen to You
“Pit bull. One year old,” the adoption card read. “Still has that puppy energy!” Jane looked down at the wiggly dog licking her fingers through the kennel bars. She figured she could use some puppy energy in her life. She took him home and named him Watson. The shelter staff warned he’d be a handful,… Continue Reading
What to do When Your Dog is being a Pain in the Ass and You Feel like Crap
Sometimes, I don’t like my dogs very much. They have issues. Jonas was a fearful, under-socialized mess when I met him, and some residual effects of that remain to this day. Merlin is a recovering fear-aggressive border collie. You don’t always notice the “recovering” part. Don’t get me wrong, I love these guys. I really… Continue Reading
100 Mildly Useful Thoughts on Training & Living with Dogs
1. Leadership is about being someone worth following. 2. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. 3. Dogs have deadly weapons in their mouths. Most will go their entire lives without using them. Don’t take this for granted. 4. You have a lot of power over your dog. With great power… 5.… Continue Reading
Thinking of Returning Your New Puppy to the Shelter/Breeder? Please Read This First
Dear puppy owner, So you’ve adopted a puppy who has turned out to be a little terror, and you’re thinking of finding her a new home. Despite your best efforts, some problem has come up: the puppy won’t stop biting, won’t stop pooping all over your house, or maybe she just requires a lot more… Continue Reading
How to Not Screw Up Your New Puppy
People never adopt puppies with the intention of turning them into screwed-up dogs. But it happens all the time. Imagine this scenario: A family visits an animal shelter and takes home an eight week old puppy. They’ve got this perfect little baby dog, a totally innocent little creature. No bad habits yet. This little pup… Continue Reading
A Beginner’s Guide to Adopted Dog Ownership
It’s October! You know what that means. The holiday season is approaching. The weather’s getting colder or warmer, depending on your hemisphere. Basketball season is starting. It’s National Pork Month. rela But all of that pales in comparison to the REAL significance of October: Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! If you want to join in… Continue Reading