Search Results for: blog teach your dog to leave it other animals

Meeting the Neighbor Dogs

I’ve blogged before about my neighbor’s dogs, the ones she lets roam free through the neighborhood. Sometimes I see them in our yard. Yesterday while I was working, I noticed one of them, the tan one, out the window. I went outside to greet it, as I always do whenever I see any of the neighborhood pets. They all, cats and dogs included, run away from me. This dog did the usual, but I thought of something: I called for it to come here. I didn’t think it was a dangerous dog, because our neighbor said he isn’t. He also … Continue reading →

Legal Woes for Maryland Pit Bull Owners

A big headline here in Maryland lately has been an anti-pit-bull decision made by the state’s court of appeals. The case classified pit bulls and other “bully” dogs (meaning any dog with bull lineage) as “dangerous dogs.” This means that they are not included in the “one bite” exemption owners get before they are held liable for their dog’s action. That liability can also extend to anyone with control on the premises, including landlords, veterinarians, kennels/daycares, groomers, etc. The decision prompted widespread protest. Pit owners are worried that they’ll either be evicted, lose their homeowner’s insurance, or be forced to … Continue reading →

Exploring “My Weirder School”

For someone who didn’t care much for pencils, books and teachers’ dirty looks growing up, I’m not exactly sure how I birthed a school-loving bookworm. Not only does my second grader enjoy attending school, she also loves reading books about kids and their adventures in the halls of higher learning. That said, I suppose I shouldn’t be the least bit surprised that my 7-year-old is addicted to Dan Gutman’s silly series, My Weirder School. The collection of creative craziness features characters that will crack you up and leave you wanting more. In this case, you’re in luck because Gutman shows … Continue reading →

What to Consider When Getting a Potbelly Pig

Over a year ago I looked at the teacup pig as a rare pet. But what if you want to adopt a potbellied pig as a pet? What do you need to know before bringing one into your home? First: check your zoning laws. For some reason potbelly pigs are sometimes not allowed in certain areas, so be absolutely sure that your local zoning laws allow you to keep a potbellied pig as a pet. Potbellies live for 10-15 years, so be sure you can make that commitment. Be careful from whom you buy or adopt your pig. You want … Continue reading →

Christmas in the Hospital

Looking for a way to give back and teach your children the domino effect of kindness this holiday season? Consider taking a family trip to the pediatric until of your local hospital. Thousands of children will wake up in a hospital bed rather than their own home this Christmas. Spread the good cheer of Christmas by visiting them and bringing some gifts to brighten their day. Dress up as Santa and his elves. Check with the hospital to see if Santa will be visiting the children at the hospital. If not, you can volunteer to be St. Nick. The rest … Continue reading →

Household Plants Poisonous to Pets

With autumn upon us and the holidays soon to follow, many households have begun seasonal decorating. A lot of that decorating involves various sorts of plants, and with that come many pet owners’ concerns over whether those plants are poisonous to their furry family members. The ASPCA has a helpful list of commonly kept plants that will hurt your pet and one that actually gets a bad reputation. The site names poinsettia as one of the most misunderstood plants, revealing that about 70% of the population believe that it is poisonous to their pets when in fact it isn’t really. … Continue reading →

Positive Reinforcement and the Power of Distraction

I try very hard to be a positive reinforcement trainer with my dogs, and not a negative reinforcement. Some days it works better than others. When we’re out walking, I’ve got a constant stream of chatter going — encouragement and praise, mostly, though sometimes, I also just talk to them about what they’re doing. If the dogs are doing something right, I tell them. It’s when the dogs are doing something wrong that I sometimes run into trouble. Lally is generally easy to correct. A light tug on the leash or saying her name is enough to get her attention … Continue reading →

Games of Chase

Do you have a dog (or cat) who loves to run and chase? My Lally likes to chase and be chased. If you want to play some running games with your pets, try one of these. Dog-chases-human. This one is quick and easy — just get your dog’s attention and run away from her. Stop when she’s within a few feet and reward her with praise and/or treats. Why stop? Because that will prevent chase from turning into “nip at the human’s ankles”. That’s always a good idea. Hide and chase. My brother’s dog Lily LOVES this game. The idea … Continue reading →

Inmates, Stray Dogs, and Rehabilitation

Last night one of the local news stations reported what started out to be a sad story about bad dog owners leaving dogs out in the cold to fend for themselves. The reporter was following around animal control officers who were on “cold dog patrol.” They round up dogs left in yards with no food or water and very little or no shelter. In some cases the dogs have been completely abandoned as their owners have since moved on. Concerned neighbors called in to make sure the dogs got help. I was happy to hear there are laws against this. … Continue reading →

Biking from Alaska to Argentina: A Homeschooling Road Trip

If it wasn’t for a comment Nancy Sathre-Vogel left on one of my Pets articles I never would have known about the extraordinary undertaking she and her husband plan to make with their two boys and dog: a bicycle trip from Alaska to Argentina. (I for sure had to interview her about that!) Along the way she and her husband will be homeschooling their boys. I thought it would make an intriguing interview to post here. Courtney Mroch: On your website, you have a box encouraging teachers and homeschoolers to contact you for a “unique, dynamic way to help [their] … Continue reading →