Teaching your Dog New Tricks

We all know for a fact that dog ownership brings about a lot of responsibilities. Out of the many important duties needed in taking care of a dog, one must consider obedience training or teaching your dog a few basic commands. As a new dog owner or trainer, here are a few basic tricks that you can apply to your pet.

Trick # 1: Heel - The essence of the heel command is to tell your dog to walk directly beside you. This trick lets your pet stay by your side rather than going through various places which will make it difficult for you to take control of his sense of direction. This order is very simple and effortless which can be easily learned by your dog within a short period of time. Read more »

You probably read how upset we all were when my lovely doggie blogging friend Oscar the Airedale died recently. He was just a young pup and he got very ill suddenly, so his loss was a great shock and really tragic. His Mum and Dad heard from a lady who makes little felt models of Airedale terriers, and this is the photo of the one that she sent to Oscar’s Mum and Dad. It is a lovely way to remember a dog, I think.

I heard today that new regulations in Camden, a north London borough, could affect me when we walk there. The council plans to fine anybody who walks more than four dogs together, AND anyone whose dog is off the lead in public streets, public open spaces and parks in the borough. I know we are worried when we see dangerous dogs off the lead but there are times when a dog can safely walk off the lead in quiet streets. A dog needs time off the lead every day and if you live in a town you cannot always take your dog as far as the ‘designated exercise areas’. The Kennel Club is encouraging dog lovers to lodge objections to the new dog control regulations in Camden - the deadline is 15 March so please send a letter now. The Kennel Club criticised the fact that all the council did to publicise the consultation period was to place an advertisement in a local newspaper.

Dad and I had some great walks when the car was being repaired, I must make sure it happens again (hee hee). We met some nice people in Alexandra park as usual, then we came across a lady who recently adopted a young Lurcher. He was quite excitable - and big. As we were talking to her, the playful dog came bounding over and sent Dad flying, and me flat on my back. The owner was quite bewildered “people keep shouting at me and running away from my dog”, she said. I wonder why - and if she will be signing up for a nice dog training class?
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