The Invisible Dog
Dark, quiet, and far, far away. That’s what six year old shepherd mix Nadya likes about her special place under the queen size bed in the guestroom. Nadya doesn’t bark in the yard. She never chews...
View ArticleWanted: For Aggravated Robbery
If there was a dog-equivalent of those most-wanted posters you see at the Post Office, Otto’s face would be instantly recognizable. Otto is a three year old Labrador Shepherd mix who steals. Otto is...
View ArticleTrain Who?
Hershey is – what else? – a Chocolate Lab. His family still calls him a puppy, although he is nearly two years old, probably because he acts like one, all 70 pounds of exuberant, mouthy retriever, as...
View ArticleDriveway NASCAR
Frederick is a charming, laid-back Greyhound. He is in his second home now, and he is very happy there. He has a sofa to sprawl on, room to run outdoors, and every day, he gets to pursue his favorite...
View ArticleDeath and the Maiden (Rabbit)
“Bunny #4 bit the dust today” said Jasper’s owner. “We can’t even bury it because Jasper will dig it up.” Jasper is a 4 year old Jack Russell Terrier mix with a penchant for furiously flinging dirt in...
View ArticlePick on Someone Your Own Size!
In a family of five people, why does the dog single out one particular person to bully? Jaimie is a lovely, soft-spoken young woman living at home while she hunts for a job after finishing college. Her...
View ArticlePrey vs Predator
Australian Shepherd Tex lives to run. In a perfect world, Tex would have been adopted by last year’s winner of the Boston Marathon. But no. Tex is one family’s dog. There is a mom (she does Pilates...
View ArticleThe Line in the Sand
Autry looks like your average Samoyed. His white coat is downy and soft. He has the elegant floating stride characteristic of his breed, and he prefers the cool tile in the foyer to any couch or dog...
View ArticleFall ball
Boston Terrier Ernest loves loves loves to play fetch. The trouble is, he is unclear on the concept. Here is how Ernest plays the game: 1. Owner tosses ball. 2. Ernest gallops at top speed to grab it....
View ArticleThe thrill of the chase
One of the games that Penny, a one year old Black Lab, loves to play is “chase me.” Also known as “keepaway.” Outside in the yard, the kids run after Penny all around the fenced yard until everyone...
View ArticleIs breed destiny?
So you get this dog from the shelter. The tag on the cage said “Lab Shepherd mix.” You bring the dog home. What can you expect? Will he want to fetch constantly like a Labrador Retriever? Will he be...
View ArticleOdd Man Out
Edgar is a 2 year old Miniature Dachshund who has never known a day without his siblings Rottweiler Hannah and Pitbull mix J.P. All of his life, he has deferred to the bigger dogs on everything from...
View ArticleLet the chase begin
I confess I am amazed at the number of dog owners who resort to chasing their dog when he runs off with an item he has stolen. Let’s think like a dog for a moment…. Evenings are such a bore. Everyone...
View ArticleWhat to do with your bored dog
After dinner, many people spend the evening at home relaxing. We humans have lots of home entertainment options: television, hobbies, reading, exercising, cooking, smart phones. Dogs have toys and...
View ArticleHow exciting!
Murphy is a 2 year old Lab mix whose exuberant giddiness has his family in despair. “When is he going to calm down?” they asked me, obviously hoping the answer would be Oh, next Tuesday. Murphy’s...
View ArticleHow rough is too rough?
My clients tell me they are very concerned about how their dogs play together. They want me to observe their dogs and tell them if or when they should intervene. Usually its because they have added a...
View ArticleThe witching hour
Ask any parent what time of day is the most stressful, anxiety-producing, and frenetic and hands down, Moms and Dads will say dinner time. Let’s face it – everyone has been at either daycare, work or...
View ArticleFundamentally Not Fun
Two year old West Highland Terrier Stella takes her job as protector of the house and its contents very seriously. So much so that she refuses to have fun. Stella looks at any proffered toy with...
View ArticlePuppy pet peeves
JoJo is a Black Labrador puppy with enormous paws and disarmingly soft eyes. She also has the look of a canine about to burst into the zoomies but knows someone will yell at her. The family JoJo lives...
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