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Trust Issue

Misconceptions about Adopting a Dog As we’ve discussed many times here, there are a lot of misconceptions about shelter dogs, a big one being that they are somehow “damaged” and unadoptable. But, really, most of the time the reasons that a dog winds up in a shelter come down to human failure. Dogs end up in shelters because we don’t properly train them, or we aren’t prepared ourselves, economically or personally, to take on the responsibility. If any damage has been done to those dogs, it’s been done by people. Of course, once a dog is in a shelter, its

January 12, 2019 No Comments

Choosing A Compatible Breed/Dog

It isn’t Always About The Dog

You’ve probably heard me say many times that I rehabilitate dogs and I train people, but it is amazing sometimes how long it takes for this simple truth to click with people. If you aren’t providing calm, assertive leadership then your dog will not follow you. I relearned this first hand when I was going through depression, and my pack abandoned me because I was not leading them. One of the big reasons people wind up having problems with their dogs is that they started out with an incompatible dog. But in order to find the right match, you have

July 6, 2016 No Comments

A woman reads the paper while her dog sneaks food from her plate.

All About Dogs

Common Mistakes Of First-Time Dog Owners

When you think about getting a dog, you most likely imagine the fun and excitement of it. You’ll have a furry companion to snuggle with, a living alarm system to ward off would-be burglars, a playmate — or all three. But there’s a lot that goes into being a good Pack Leader. A dog is a big responsibility, and ownership means being able to commit a significant amount of time and money. Often it can even require a lifestyle change. First-time owners who don’t spend enough time learning about what they’re getting into can find themselves in over their heads

February 2, 2016 No Comments

A woman runs with her dog on a fall day.

Adopt

7 Tips For Establishing Leadership With Your Dog

One of the first things you should do to create a strong bond and balanced relationship with your new dog is to be the Pack Leader from day one. Knowing your pack takes time, patience, and acceptance. Then formulating a plan, setting an intention, and following through is what creates even more strength in your relationship, bond, and its depth. Here Are Some Important Points to Remember in Your Role as Pack Leader for Your New Dog or Puppy: Create a schedule that includes a daily 30 to 45-minute power-walk in the morning. This is critical for your dog’s health,

June 18, 2015 No Comments

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Should You Adopt A Puppy Or An Adult?

Are you thinking of welcoming a new dog into your pack? If so, one of the first decisions to make is whether you’d like to adopt a puppy or an adult. There really is nothing quite as adorable as a puppy. Cute, cuddly, and full of affection, the gaze from a puppy’s big, round eyes can melt any heart. If you adopt a puppy, expect to spend a lot of time with them during their first year of life. You’ll need to care for their every need, teach them how to behave, and show them where to spend their time.

June 18, 2015 No Comments

Adopting From a Breeder

Why You Should Avoid Puppy Mills

Puppy mills can be a danger for families that want to adopt a new dog. A puppy mill is a breeding facility with the sole purpose of churning out the most dogs for the least money – and to make the most profit. Substandard Breeding Conditions and Inbreeding Can Lead to Disastrous Results Health problems Because many puppy mills do not take the proper precautions when breeding dogs, genetic diseases that could be identified during professional medical screenings are often missed and passed down to future generations. Many issues caused by these conditions don’t show up until later in life,

June 18, 2015 No Comments

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Reasons Dogs End Up In Shelters

All across the world, animal shelters are overflowing with dogs that are in need of good homes. But how did so many get there? It can be hard for us dedicated pet lovers to understand how someone could just surrender his or her companion. When a dog ends up in a shelter, it is not their fault. Most behavioral issues, for instance, can typically be traced back to the way in which their former caretakers handled them. Here are the Top Ten Most Common Reasons Dogs End Up in Shelters: Lack of Training Many people get a dog without realizing

June 18, 2015 No Comments

Four puppies surround their mother in a grass yard.

Adopting From a Breeder

How To Avoid Puppy Mills

There are a number of ways that you can avoid puppy mills when looking for a new pet. One of the best ways is to adopt from a shelter or rescue group. This ensures that your new pet comes from a loving home and has not been subjected to the inhumane conditions often found in puppy mills. What Are Puppy Mills? Puppy mills can be a danger for families that want to adopt a new dog. A puppy mill is a breeding facility with the sole purpose of churning out the most dogs for the least money – and to

June 18, 2015 No Comments

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Creative Fundraising Events For Dogs

With a struggling economy and a slow road to improvement, dog lovers and animal shelters are coming up with more creative ways to throw fundraisers. It’s not enough to bring dogs in need of homes to a park and solicit donations. Times call for a bit of creative spirit to stand out from the pack, so to speak. Recently, the Des Moines County Humane Society conducted a dog-eating contest — as in hot dogs. Called the Hot Dogs of Summer, wristbands were sold for $10 each ($5 for kids) and that got you all the hot dogs you could eat.

June 18, 2015 No Comments

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The Other Refugees

By Cesar Millan Refugees have been all over the news recently — whether it’s Syrian refugees in Europe, or tens of thousands of refugee children from Central America crossing the border into the U.S. via Mexico. These are stories I can relate to, because I once made that journey myself, although at least I wasn’t fleeing a situation where my life was in danger. Now, while some people want to welcome them and others don’t, I haven’t heard anyone seriously suggesting that we should just shoot these people, especially women and children, because there are too many of them and

June 18, 2015 No Comments