A Plumper Pooch

I’ve noticed that my dog, Toby, is starting to get thick around the middle. He, like myself, has hunkered down over this miserable winter of eight foot snowdrifts and below zero temperatures. He likes the snow, but as soon as his paws get cold, he heads for the door. Sometimes, if the snow is blowing and the air is frigid, it’s almost impossible to get him outside or keep him outside to do his business.

So, with the lack of exercise, we, my dog (and myself), have put on a little around the middle.

This week, local meteorologists have predicted a thaw with temperatures reaching 40 degrees or more. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they are correct so that we can get back into our walking routine. As soon as the snow melts, we’re headed back to the dog park. I can’t wait and neither can Toby!

There’s an APP for everything!

Nowadays, it’s almost inconceivable to think of going about your day without your phone close by. As modern-day pet owners, the world of mobile applications has expanded to accommodate our needs whether we are at home or out and about. Below are just a few of the apps available for pet owners:

The PetMD FINDER app lets you search for emergency clinics, dog parks, even pet sitters. Use your ZIP code or your phone’s GPS. You get even get first aid advice wherever you go.

The iPET Alert app allows owners of missing dogs send out an alert in your area, as well as to local veterinarians. The app even lets you create flyers with your missing pet’s information.

The ALL PETS RADIO PLAYER lets you connect to streaming radio that broadcasts news, tips and information for pet owners 24/7.

Finally, for those of us that like to take photos of our pets from out phone, check out the BOW CAM. It has a ‘bark button’ that you can press when you want to get your dog’s attention. When your dog hears the bark, they’ll look right at you and you can capture its sweet expression!

January is National Train Your Dog Month

According to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, January is National Train Your Dog Month which was designed to raise awareness of the importance of socialization and training, as well as to inform the public that training can be simple and a lot of fun for both the owner and the dog. January was selected because so many dogs and puppies are adopted or brought home throughout the winter holidays and what better way to kick off the New Year than with training that can last a lifetime.

We have some training challenges with Toby. I’ll start by saying that he’s very smart. He knows the sit, stay (or wait) and lay down commands. He understands the words ‘walk’, ‘outside’, ‘potty’, ‘treat’, ‘car’, and he even dashes for the door when we ask ‘Do you want to go to Grandma’s?’. We struggle most with recall. If Toby is in close proximity and I say ‘come’, he listens. If he’s more than 10 feet away, forget about it. It’s like he goes deaf. This presents a problem if he runs outside without being on a leash or if we are at the dog park and we need to get him to come to us. He’s run away on a couple of occasions and we’ve been lucky enough to catch up with him at a neighbor’s house. He’s very submissive so he doesn’t get into situations at the dog park, but it’d be nice if he came when we called.

I bought a 30 foot lead and I’m going to work with him on that and use positive reinforcement to reward him for listening; however, I’m concerned that his prey drive (he’s a terrier mix) may be too strong to keep him close by. I’ve also heard that using a word other than ‘come’ work as well. Some have suggested ‘here’ or ‘heel’.

Anyone out there have any good recommendations to get a dog to come when called? I’m interested in any tips you have to offer!

The Eyes are the Windows to the Soul

Today, we took Toby to the dog park. It’s one of his favorite places in the whole world. It’s also one of ours. Our kids play with all of the other dogs and we spend time getting to know the dogs’ owners. The funny part is we end up knowing the dogs better than the owners and often refer to the other humans at the park as “Sparky’s dad” or “Fluffy’s mom”.

On this cool but wonderfully sunny day, we met a woman and her two senior Cocker Spaniels, Shadow and Cookie. Brilliant purebreds with soft and sweet temperaments, Shadow and Cookie moved quietly around the park, pleasantly greeting the other dogs and their owners. I started talking with their owner only to find that Shadow suffered from Cushing’s disease and Cookie was blind. She explained how Cookie had lost her site about a year and a half ago and Shadow was currently being treated for his illness. Shadow was sluggish and silent, attempting to chase a ball or tumble after one of the younger pups. Cookie, eyes covered with the silky blue of cataracts, sniffed her way around, occasionally losing her way, listening intently for her owner’s voice. Once she heard her voice and caught her scent, she’d come running, all smiles with her tail wagging away.

As we talked, I found myself looking again and again into the eyes of these two determined dogs. Shadow, his big, brown and liquid eyes, slightly sad, but wise. Wanting to tell us something, but not knowing how. Cookie, her eyes shining an iridescent blue, bright and smiling. Content in her darkness and taken by her world of sounds and smells.

The eyes are the windows of the soul and today, these two beautiful animals bared theirs in the crisp autumn breeze under a clear October sky.