I’d like to start this as a weekly (or mostly weekly – I don’t want to be bullied by my blog!) segment, where I post my favourite links from the last week.  I normally Tweet my favourite links (at my Twitter account), but it occurred to me that some of you not on Twitter may want to check them out, too. Plus, I can talk about them in more than 140 characters here.

Dog Training & Behaviour

Denise Fenzi posted about using a metronome in heeling training.  I’ve never heard of this before, and it’s a really interesting idea!  Denise uses the metronome so she has to concentrate, and she gets the ‘look’ of concentration that she may get in a trial.  The idea is that the dog learns that the ‘look’ can still be rewarding.

Fanny Gott posted a video showing how she trains a dog to always take the jump, even if the dumbell is thrown crooked.  (She also posted another video on shaping sit from a drop.)  Interesting method that I’m sure to give a try (if I get that far).

On a more general note, Andrea Arden’s blog featured a post on how to help your dog develop impulse control through simple to more complex steps.  She describes the process she took with a rescue labrador called Brutus, who needed to develop impulse control for his new home.

I came across a Patricia McConnell article (she writes The Other End of the Leash blog) called “Down with Dominance” on the Bark.  It’s an oldie, but sadly, a message that still needs to be repeated today.

Debbie Jacobs, on the Fearful Dog Blog, talked and the potential pitfalls in getting a doggy friend to reduce fear behaviours in resident dogs.  She asked, “Is getting another dog helpful for a fearful dog?”

A shock collar demonstration on the wrist of a dog trainer (and Nicole Wilde’s commentary) is a very interesting look into shock collar use.

Dog Science

Stanley Coren asks the question “Do dogs love people more than they love other dogs?” and uses research to try to answer the question.  It seems the answer is yes, but why don’t you hop on over and have a read for yourself.

With all the hype of hypoallergenic dogs (and the associated ‘doodles’ and ‘poos’), it should come as a surprise that researchers found no signficiant difference in antigen levels in a home of hypoallergenic dogs to those that are hyperallergenic.

Dog Health

What to expect after your dog’s vaccination, by Dogs Naturally Magazine, talks about some of the vaccine reactions that vets often ‘skim over’.  Well worth a read and a look.

The blog “Lessons from Layla” advocates for the anxious dog.  Many dog owners are resistent to medicating anxious dogs, often to the dog’s expense.  Lessons from Layla counter-argues and advocates the use of medications (where appropriate, of course) for the anxious dog.

I don’t know how true this is, I’ve never heard about it before, but Oregano Oil is apparently pretty good treatment for a range of conditions, particularly infections.

A post by Dr Kay about Ovariectomy (OVE) versus Ovariohysterectomy (OVH) inspired me to do quite a bit reading on the article at hand… And then download a bunch more articles on neutering in pets.  I’ve got some reading to do!

Loved this video from Dr Becker on selecting pet food.  Really interesting, and might give you some insights into some different brands.

Stories

A cute story from Crystal at Reactive Champion, posting “A Family that Clicks Together, Stays Together“.  Crystal is great at related her every day life to dog training, and this blog post talks about how her and her husband use the word ‘click’ to reward each other.  Very cute!

An interesting story about the old man and the dog at sea. 

A story that shows that dogs sometimes know things we don’t know. (Tissues!)

The experience of losing a dog, and the process we go through.  A beautiful recount. (A LOT OF TISSUES!)

Love and a Six Foot Leash writes another warming post, this time about an animal control officer doing more than ever expected for dogs in need.  This man is described as a hero in a log cabin.

And the Notes from a Dog Walker blog talks about how an off leashed dog ruined a service dog.  A sad story that everyone who walks their dog off lead should realise: Your dog could potentially have a profound impact on another’s life (canine and human).

Pet Stores

Kathy Pobloskie pulls apart the lies that pet shops often use to sell puppies.  Most readers of my blog are probably the ‘converted’, but maybe, if we share this enough, it will reach those important.   (And wrote a good post on shelter intakes, too.)

Terrierman has a look at the case where a woman is suing a pet store for her unhealthy dog.  Though he is more having a rant about purebred dogs in general, it’s still an interesting read.

Fostering Advice

ThatMutt looks at ways to prevent accidents and fights with new foster dogs entering the house.  Basically, ‘assume nothing!’ when taking in a new dog, and set up the dog(s) for success.  Great advice here.

A post about when rescues take on more than they can chew, so to speak, and do not think of the long term care of their animals, especially in unforeseen circumstances.  A thought provoking commentary.

Animal Welfare

A controversial one from Time 4 Dogs, with a post explaining that forever is a long long time, and it’s perhaps unrealistic to expect new families to keep a dog ‘forever’.  (A reassuring post to me, considering I rehomed my dog Winona on the weekend.)

The curse of being cute!  Why cute dogs often suffer by being ‘made’ to accept pats, even when they don’t want to.  Another post probably directed at the converted, but still very valid.

YesBiscuit produced an article about the prevalence of kill speak in the media.  Just what I was thinking!  As a forever critic of the media, this post highlighted something I hadn’t realised.  (They also talked about Lucy the lab, who was destroyed within minutes of being surrendered.)

How to make your lost dog poster more effective.

As always, Saving Pets presented a well rounded article.  The Lost Dogs Home (Sydney) has an income of over $12 million, but somehow could not find homes for almost 12, 000 pets that it killed.  Saving Pets asks how.

On the passing of Vick’s dogs, the KC Dog Blog looked at the ‘legacy of second chances’ left behind.  These dogs were not those that would normally be rehomed, but they inspire us that some dogs with rough starts can be good dogs.  This is a story of hope.

A (rare!) quick post from no kill advocate Nathan Winograd about public perceptions on shelter euthansias.  Most people think euthansias should only occur with seriously ill dogs, not for convenience. Surprise!  (Nathan Winograd also wrote a long (standard!) post about legislating no kill.)

Local Australian rescue, Australian Working Dog Rescue, had a news article in the Cairns paper. Go AWDR!

Kids and Dogs

I found this useful colour coded chart for identifying stress in dogs, and appropriate intervention times for parents. Had to share it! Great and simple.

Dog Breeding

The illness of Kennel Blindness – the symptoms, risk factors, and cures.  This one was doing the rounds on Facebook, and I very much needed to share it far and wide!

Give-Aways

Pet Blogs United featured a PetsDirect.co.uk offer that is still running!