Hurrah—summer is here! When travelers pack bags to head off on vacation, many will be packing bags for their dogs, too. Here are some great suggestions for choosing a petboarding facility, and for making your pet’s stay as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Special Situations
How to Teach Voluntary Blood Draws: Lessons from Dolphins and Horses Apply to Dogs
By Laura Monaco Torelli on 06/01/2013Size—it's all relative
Ten years ago I was introduced to my first Rhodesian ridgeback. Actually, I met two ridgebacks then—stunning males a year apart and known as brothers, even though they weren't related. Their names were Luca Brasi and Clemenza (fans of The Godfather will understand). The dogs belonged to my boyfriend, Jim, who is now my husband. Jim adored "the boys," and I felt the same way the instant I met them.
Both dogs came bounding up for their share of attention. I received the "hound handshake"—noses in my private parts coupled with inquisitive head turns as they scoped me out. Since I worked at Brookfield Zoo, I am sure there were many enticing odors on my clothes and shoes.
Energetic, Anxious, or Reactive Dog? Try the Calm-O-Meter Method
By Aidan Bindoff on 05/01/2013Wouldn't it be great if your dog came with a big dial on his or her back that told you exactly how anxious, frightened, or excitable he or she was? Wouldn't it be awesome if you could turn this dial and calm your dog?
HOPE AACR Pets Bring Smiles to Victims of Hurricane Sandy
By Julie Gordon on 01/04/2013Editor's note:
Many people are familiar with the heroic stories of the search and rescue dogs that have helped victims of disasters like 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. However, few people know about the canines that are still helping victims and families long after disasters have left their devastating impact. These canine heroes are the specially trained canine crisis response teams of HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (HOPE AACR).
Clicking to Help the World’s Fastest Animal Outrun Extinction
By Julie Gordon on 12/01/2012Editor's note
If you have experienced the power of clicker training, you know it has the potential to save animal lives. One Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP), Jade Fountain, has demonstrated that clicker training can help save an entire species! Jade recently journeyed to South Africa, utilizing skills and knowledge gained through the KPA Dog Trainer Program to help safeguard the world's fastest land animal—the cheetah.