I always ask my clients to let their dog greet me at the front door they way they would with any other guest. I like to see how a dog reacts to the arrival of a stranger on his home turf; it tells me a lot about the dog’s temperament and standing in the house. If I could describe the greetings I have received over the years in a poem, here then is an ode to the exuberance of dogs at the door: How do I greet thee? Let me count the ways. I greet thee by body-checking you at ful

On any given day, Pretzel is both a sweetheart and the terror of the neighborhood. Pretzel is a Cockapoo with two owners. One of Pretzel’s owners – let’s call her Debbie – adores Pretzel. The dog is in her lap whenever she sits down. Pretzel follows her throughout the house, even when she is in the bathroom. Debbie swears that she and Pretzel have a very special bond, that they communicate with each other without words, that they are soulmates. Pretzel’s other owner – Dave –

It’s the existential question for humans and dogs: where is my place? If dogs could meditate, PLACE could be their mantra. PLACE…..PLACE…..PLACE…… if I had a PLACE, I could go there when…… Whoever is cooking in the kitchen doesn’t want me underfoot; When there are guests that don’t particularly like dogs; At mealtime, so I don’t beg at the table; I need a quiet place to go when I’m feeling overwhelmed; I’m really hungry and dinner isn’t ready yet; Before a walk, so I don’t go

Owners of two or more dogs will tell you that dogs are just as guilty of peer pressure as any group of teenagers. Herd mentality, mob rule, collective behavior, flocking, swarm intelligence, or team players – whatever the terminology, dogs (and people) in packs act differently than they do on their own. Chance and Joey are two male Havanese, age three. They are from the same litter and have been together all of their lives. They are rarely, if ever, separated. When they are,

“I don’t believe in crates,” said the new puppy owner. I don’t want my dog to be confined; it’s cruel. She’s part of the family; she shouldn’t be in a cage, she should be with us.” If you are guessing that this owner called me about housebreaking issues, you would be correct. I’m not sure when the idea of crates became an ideology with its share of advocates and detractors. Crate-resistant people get really adamant – and vocal – about not using crates. 8-month-old Cavalier K

ONE dog can make a lot of noise. Is there an equation that measures the increase in decibel levels when TWO dogs see the garbage truck? I’m pretty terrible at math so I won’t even attempt this one. All I know is, a pomeranian mix and a Cairn terrier, fenced in and highly indignant that a vehicle should appear and STOP in front of THEIR house, are likely to wake up the neighborhood at the bracing time of 6 AM. Consider it a community service alarm clock. Another dog – a Blac

Or maybe it should be “Bite, interrupted.” Because some dogs will take the briefest of nips and back away so quickly that you’re not sure it really happened. Even the so-called victim might be unaware of the damage, if any, that may have occurred. Here is how such an incident might play out in a court of law. COOPER –VS-THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHILD SCENE: The setting is a courtroom. The plaintiffs are the parents of a 5-year-old girl. The defendant is Cooper, a neutered male 2 year

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

I love puppies, as long as they are someone else’s. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing cuter than that little face while he is sleeping, the sweet smell of the top of his head, and the delightful way he bounces instead of runs. But I will take an older dog every time. And I have. All of my dogs are getting up there. The oldest is Nellie, a Cairn Terrier, going on 14 and still hiking and kayaking with us. Sure, she is slower, needs frequent rest stops, and has to be carried

Chickie is a Spaniel mix, sweet-faced and sweet-natured. Her human companions had driven 3 hours in the pouring rain to pick her up. Yes,...

This morning, a neighborhood cat left a dead mouse next to my car. It was a thoughtful gesture of appreciation, since we set food out daily for Pat the Cat – our unisex name for him/her, and no, I’m not going to get personal with Pat to find out the answer to that question. The gift led me to think about cats, dogs, and presents. I know, you’re thinking – cats and dogs! Fertile subject matter for a blog! Sorry, this one is about gifts, because who doesn’t love to get a presen

In this post, and the next two, I will address the three C’s of being a good dog owner: Calm, Confidence, and Consistency. What does it...

One of the charming attributes of dogs, besides soulful eyes and adorable bellies, is their effervescent, heartfelt greetings. You could...

No, not to hang yourself. If you’re that frustrated with your dog, call a trainer! The leash – and I’m referring to a 6 foot long walking...

Krauss is a 14 year old Rat Terrier with Cushing’s Disease. His owners are convinced that Krauss’ days are numbered. Ever since his...

Some dog owners think that training their dog is a formal enterprise that involves attending classes, walking in an ordered circle apace...

Forgive me if I talk about barking yet again. This time, the topic is owner-directed barking. Also known as back talk, sass, and lip....

I confess there are rare moments when, after seeing the same issues played out again and again, I can’t help but add to my list of pet...