Search results

I think that shedding is a normal thing but the frequency and the amount of hair would depend on the breed type and overall health of the dog. I have gotten used to brushing my dog's coat from time-to-time, so as to remove the excess and loose fur.

I have never seen anyone do this before and I think that whereas it may work for other people, it seems to require a lot of scrutiny. As you mention, the dog could easily get caught in the bike. I prefer to walk my dogs, every other time.

I think the natural and more reasonable thing to do would be to approach the neighbour and share your concerns. The only problem with this is that if the landlord ended up knowing it, this neighbour would assume that you had been the informer. This is the main reason why I always seek to...

It can be awkward to keep a lost pup or dog, then have the authorities trace it and find it at your place. The best thing to do is to try to trace the owner but what is encouraging is that for most dog owners, giving it a temporary shelter is almost always the first instinct.

Very true @Vinny and I think that the biggest challenge for most dog owners is striking that balance between training the dog and disciplining it because they are the most adorable animals. On the other hand, I feel that a dog can be helped to overcome behavior problems in many ways, including...

As a dog owner, I have kept dogs that were different in their own ways. One interesting thing that I observed was that the temperaments weren't the same. Could we possibly assume that genetics (in addition to the environmental factors) play a role in determining a dog's temperament?

I agree with you @MeriYa. It would be reasonable for a dog to resent an owner that was beating it up because as you say, compassion (or a lack of it) varies from one person to the other. I think that fear and resentment almost go hand-in-hand and to avoid this, it is better to provide all that...

I have come across countless stories of dogs hating their owners and I have never for once imagined that our very lovely dogs, would ever attempt to do this. What are some of the things that could cause a dog to duck when it sees the owner? I am assuming that only extreme cases would drive our...

I think that the best thing to do is to always consult a professional. One particular behavior that has always been of concern is when there are incidences of excessive barking. How is this best approached?

I had never thought about accreditation at any point @Vinny so thank you for that. It is actually great to hear from a real professional and I agree that such kinds of questions will help in making the final decision. I came to realize that as much as there are many such facilities, only a few...

I will be taking some time off at the end of the year and whereas I have always enlisted the services of a friend or neighbor in the past, I have gotten recommendations about a certain facility in the city. Several people have given good reviews about but then should I just take their word for...

The social learning theory is a good concept especially because it has been proven to work for both humans and animals (especially dogs). I do think that you can have more than a dog at a time, provided that the old ones have been well trained. It is easier to train the puppies when the older...

Interesting account of events @MeriYa. Luckily for me, I have never been chased by a dog though there is this time when one escaped from his walker and started running towards me. Our parents had always told us never to run when chased and so I stood my ground as it continued barking loudly...

I remember reading about an owner who had trouble getting his dog off the couch. His 9-month-old puppy couldn't understand why he was no longer wanted on the couch while as a young puppy, he was allowed on it, for whatever duration he wanted to lie there. This got me thinking about how you...

I totally agree with you @MeriYa that dogs (and especially puppies) learn very fast. I remember a time when a certain puppy used to chew on things and I would use the same method you have mentioned. So there is this instance when I got into the house and he was chewing on a shoe but when he...

How do you react when your puppy, in the course of its development, displays bad behavior? I think that at times, dog owners can get confused when choosing the best method of training. One thing I have been consistent with is to use time-outs whenever a puppy behaves badly. I move it to a quiet...

Keeping dogs busy indoors is not that hard, but I think the challenge normally is in coming up with new ideas. The one trick that I have recently learned is to teach them how to put their toys away. Apart from mental stimulation, such games also help to boost their confidence!

I love the discussion here but reading through @Pipsqueak's post, I get the feeling that it is much better to involve a vet from the very start. I had no idea that floppy ears leave dogs prone to these kinds of infections.

You all raise valid points, and I think the idea here is that you should be systematic with your dog. This thread also got me wondering if there are certain breeds that are easier to train compared to others? I would guess that there are certain puppies that tend to be more playful than obedient.

I have to agree with you @Woolsy. I have actually never gone beyond two and I imagine how hectic it can be, to have more than four. Dogs love to be in a pleasant environment so it is only fair to go with a number that won't place a strain on them.