Hope Saidel

Harness your dog!

There’s an old saying that goes “when you know better, you do better.� That extends to everything in life, right down to how we treat our pets. These days most veterinarians are recommending that dogs wear harnesses instead of collars. Harnesses are... Read >

Getting your dog to

“Djoowannagwout?�If you don’t speak dog, that translates to “Do you want to go out?�It’s a phrase that every dog knows, every dog owner says, and is followed (generally speaking) by jumping for joy, wriggling with glee, and barking with boundl... Read >

Dealing with your hyperactive dog

About six years ago we brought home an adorable, sleepy, five-week old puppy. We knew it was too early for her to leave her mother, but the dam had stopped feeding the pups and walked away. She was done with them, so the humans took over. At that tende... Read >

Dog training for fun and profit

Training sessions are a great way to play with your dog. And, just like playing numbers and letters games with toddlers, it’s a great way to teach your dog whatever behaviors you want. The payoff is terrific, too. Your dog will know what’s expected of... Read >

A cure for many doggy evils

Wouldn’t you like a single command that can tell your dog to: stop vacuuming up everything on the floor stop sniffing your guests stop growling at other dogs stop whatever she’s doing that you don’t like and pay attention to you? It’s ... Read >

"Stay" means stay!

Imagine your dog gets away from you – the painter left the door open accidentally, the kids didn’t notice the dog running out with them, the leash slips from your hand when your dog dashes after the squirrel he’s spotted across the street. If she... Read >

Holy Commandments for your dog

Obedience training your dog is a personal matter. If it matters to you – you’ll train your dog to do it or stop doing it. What “it� is depends on you. If you don’t want your dog on your furniture, you’ll train him to keep off. If you want your... Read >

Is your dog fat?

Is your dog one of the majority who's getting "loved" to death? Overweight dogs face the same health problems as overweight humans; increased risk of heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, the list goes on and on. One of the problems is the dog f... Read >

Housebreaking is an absolute

Every dog is trained to his owner's level of comfort. If it doesn't bother you that Fido likes to watch television sitting next to you on the couch, you're not going to make an issue of keeping him off the furniture. If it makes you crazy when Spot barks ... Read >

Crate Training is a kindness

All training starts with taking advantage of your dog's natural inclinations to reinforce the behavior you want. The only place your dog will not, by nature, mess, is its sleeping place. Crate training works with your dog's instinct - he never has the opp... Read >

Who really is the boss in your house?

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend, he's a warm boy, cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy. People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun…………. If you're old enough to remember that theme song – let's get together for lunch and commi... Read >

Smelly Dogs May Need Ablutions

Every week there is one date I faithfully keep: "ablutions" time with my dogs. I don't know why we started calling it that – probably when I was completely and totally addicted to Regency Romance novels. According to Webster's Dictionary, "ablutions" is "... Read >

Spite Isn't A Dog Thing – Separation Anxiety Is

Dog owners, when they get together, will tell stories of their amazing, brilliant, astonishing and misbehaving dogs. How many times have you heard about the pet who, displeased by its owners' absence, left a "present" of the most unpleasant kind? The t... Read >

It Takes a Village to Raise a Puppy

It's a look everybody's witnessed – the frazzled face of a new parent who hasn't slept through the night, hasn't eaten a decent, sit-down meal, hasn't enjoyed a long, hot shower in days. It's one of the most stressful and joyous times of life – there's a ... Read >

"Hybrid" dog – Isn't that just another word for Mutt?

Every day we hear more about the new "hybrid" dogs, or "designer" dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new "breed." Of course they're cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds, and in some ca... Read >