Labradors are mouths on legs. Not all Labs put everything in their mouths, and there are undeniably other dogs that will ingest anything and everything. But Labs are notorious for considering the sidewalk to be their own personal buffet. There is a scale of ingestion by Lab color: Eats 80% of stationary objects = Black Labs Eats 90% of stationary + dead objects = Yellow Labs Eats 110% of stationary + dead + moving objects = Chocolate Labs Moses is a 9 month old Chocolate Lab.

Some dogs seem to regard bicycles, motorcycles and yes, skateboards as entrees on the run. Three-year-old Shepherd mix Simon enjoys napping on the sunny spot in the dining room, tossing his Wubba, and playing with his friends at the dog park. His favorite sport, however, is chasing anything that moves. Lately, this includes not only motorized vehicles, but also hapless joggers and even strollers. His owners suspect that an early run-in with a tricycle may have caused his obse

The ultimate in scratch-off lottery games for some dogs would be Leashtastic!, Lucky Leashes!, or best of all, Win 1,000 Leashes a Week for Life! Three-year-old Yellow Labrador Ian goes through leashes as if they are lamb kibble soaked in gravy . Yet Ian’s owners swear that they can never catch him in the act of dismembering his leashes. After his walks, Ian’s leash is always scrupulously hung behind the door and remains untouched until morning. But by evening, the leash is i

Obsession – compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety. On Monday, I met Rocky, a Jack Russell Terrier, hence the definition of obsession. Many dogs become “obsessed” with a toy or other object. Certain Labradors come to mind, the ones that scoop up a tennis ball with such fervor and delight that their eyes really do gleem with excitement. They mouth the ball, prance happily to you and away, daring yo

There are two kinds of retiring dog owner. The first kind has an older dog that they adore. But they know that, when he passes, they have...

Claire used to walk a meticulously planned route every morning and evening. She had determined the streets most likely to NOT have a dog...

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...

Some of my clients swear that their dogs watch TV. I used to be skeptical about such claims. But then I witnessed a Shepherd mix appear...

Let’s face it: your dog can’t do any of those pastimes. Nor can he take himself for a walk, go to the gym, or call a friend for a chat....

After dinner, many people spend the evening at home relaxing. We humans have lots of home entertainment options: television, hobbies,...

I remember thinking when my kids were little how life was full of incredible joy and equally incredible frustration. My clients’ dogs...

Mike and Carly called me in near hysterics. They sent me a photo of the damage that greeted them when they came home from work. Their 9...

Let me make this clear: I have nothing against owners sleeping with their dogs. For some odd reason, when I ask a client whether their...

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...

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:...

In a household with more than one person, it is a certainty that there are at least that many (conflicting) opinions about the family...

Fox Terrier Chesney loves his crate so much he will challenge you to a doggie duel over it. If his owners walk past him while he is in...

Morning Yawn. Stretch. Look around. Listen carefully. Sniff the air. Sniff the door. No one is home. Pad over to the water bowl. Sniff...

Like death and marriage, sharing your life with a dog is experienced in stages. Notice I said “experienced” not “enjoyed” or “endured.”...

Black Lab Petey had a great summer. Someone was there nearly all the time to let Petey out into the yard, take him for a walk, or throw a...