The dogs in our lives, the dogs we come to love and who (we fervently believe) love us in return, offer more than fidelity, consolation, and companionship. They offer comedy, irony, wit, and a wealth of anecdotes, the "shaggy dog stories" and "stupid pet tricks" that are commonplace pleasures of life. They offer, if we are wise enough or simple enough to take it, a model for what it means to give your heart with little thought of return.
Both powerfully imaginary and comfortingly real, dogs act as mirrors for our own beliefs about what would constitute a truly humane society. Perhaps it is not too late for them to teach us some new tricks. ~ Marjorie Garber
Welcome to your private V.I.I. (Very Important Information) pages! These pages have been carefully created and specifically tailored for you, your family, and your animal companions. Here you will find the tools and resources you need to create a safer, successful home environment!
Below are 4 nested pages that are hidden from the public. Inside these links will be everything you need to know about dog and baby safety! You can begin with "Preparing for Baby's Arrival". (To access them, you have to click on the links.)
Below are 4 nested pages that are hidden from the public. Inside these links will be everything you need to know about dog and baby safety! You can begin with "Preparing for Baby's Arrival". (To access them, you have to click on the links.)
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras
Tools and Tips for Safety and Success!
There are very clear (and annoying) signs that a dog is suffering from boredom. They include chewing, barking, pacing, and being uncontrollable when outside. Regular healthy exercise and mentally enriching games and activities are very effective tools to combat your dog's boredom. Victoria Stilwell explains this in more depth in the video below.
1. EXERCISE!
Providing your dogs with regular daily exercise improves their physical and emotional well-being. “A tired dog is a good dog” implies that dogs who are appropriately and safely tired are less likely to get into trouble. Exercise also helps them to reduce over-arousal, boredom, and anxiety.
We all know we should exercise our animal companions, but sometimes can we overdo it. These articles will help you know when we exercise them too much, and how do we tell what is the right amount:
2. Bonding
"In order to have happy, frustration-free partnerships with our dogs, we need more than just love and training. For a relationship that truly thrives, we must cement a bond with our dog built on trust, mutual respect and regard."
"Having a bond with your dog may see like something that comes naturally with ‘just having them’. Developing a deep bond with them actually takes quite a bit of time and effort and may come easier with some dogs more than others. Anyone can feed and shelter an animal but having a special connection with them is much more rewarding." ~Excerpt from from a dear friend and dog trainer's post: Developing a Bond With Your Dog
More helpful articles:
Bonding with GAMES!
Tug of War Doesn't Mean WAR.
If you want to play tug with your dog but have been holding back because you’ve heard that tug-of-war makes dogs aggressive, I have some great news for you! Playing tug-of-war (by the rules) will strengthen your dog’s much needed self-control, and teach him/her to respond to you even when they are very excited. The consequence for breaking a rule is that the game ends, so dogs who love to tug learn the rules pretty fast! Tug-of-war and other rough-and-tumble games are not only fun, but they also make your dog more obedient and confident!
These links and video will teach you the rules:
If you want to play tug with your dog but have been holding back because you’ve heard that tug-of-war makes dogs aggressive, I have some great news for you! Playing tug-of-war (by the rules) will strengthen your dog’s much needed self-control, and teach him/her to respond to you even when they are very excited. The consequence for breaking a rule is that the game ends, so dogs who love to tug learn the rules pretty fast! Tug-of-war and other rough-and-tumble games are not only fun, but they also make your dog more obedient and confident!
These links and video will teach you the rules:
- Tug O' War IS a Fun Game to Play!
- Can Playing Tug-of-War Make a Dog Dominant? A Scientific Study Dispels the Myth
Watch this video to learn how to Teach Your Dog A Proper Tug of War
3. Bonding with Mental Enrichment: "Find It!"
Recommended Podcasts
I highly recommend that you listen to these. They are free and can be listened to while you're cleaning at home, at the computer, while walking, jogging, or traveling in the car!
- The Dog Trainer's Quick and Dirty Tips! No dog is too old to learn new tricks - or better manners. The Dog Trainer explains how to get the polite behaviors you want and then turn those behaviors into lifelong habits. Whether you're house training, teaching your dog to roll over, or wondering how to evaluate a dog walker, The Dog Trainer's podcasts can help.
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. ~ M. Acklam
