Maddy’s recent illness was costly. We have been wondering whether or not we should purchase pet insurance. We are going to dig a little deeper and post an entry in the future about our decision.
In the June/July/August issue of the Bark magazine, they have an interesting article about pet insurance options. Unfortunately, they do not have a link posted on their website. You’ll have to buy the magazine. It is well worth buying, by the way. The magazine has lots of really great articles in addition to the one about pet insurance.
We will keep you posted as we research our options. We are not entirely sure pet insurance is a good value but want to take a closer look.
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Showing posts with label Bark magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bark magazine. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2012
Monday, November 7, 2011
Weekend Hiking Adventures
If you are a follower of our blogs, you know that we like to take Gracie for hikes in the woods. She loves being outdoors. She enjoys seeing new places and burning off that trademark terrier energy. No mountain is too steep; no hike is ever too long for Gracie.
When most people think of outdoorsy, hiking dogs, I doubt Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and tea cup poodles come to mind. That is a mistake. Most dogs love to go for hikes. While you will have to make some concessions to their size, there is no reason you cannot take along your smaller buddy with you when you go for hikes.
We read an interesting article on thebark.com about hiking with smaller dogs. Here is the link: http://www.thebark.com/content/tips-hiking-small-dogs. We hope the article encourages you to head outdoors your petite pooch and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Happy hiking!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
When most people think of outdoorsy, hiking dogs, I doubt Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and tea cup poodles come to mind. That is a mistake. Most dogs love to go for hikes. While you will have to make some concessions to their size, there is no reason you cannot take along your smaller buddy with you when you go for hikes.
We read an interesting article on thebark.com about hiking with smaller dogs. Here is the link: http://www.thebark.com/content/tips-hiking-small-dogs. We hope the article encourages you to head outdoors your petite pooch and enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Happy hiking!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Fun Tricks
In the September/October 2011 issue of Bark magazine, Karen London writes about fun tricks to teach your dog in “Practical Fun: 8 Useful Tricks to Teach Your Dog.”
As the title implies, these cute tricks have applications in everyday life. For example, the “shake” trick can be used when you trim a dog’s nails or need to check the pads of the dog’s feet.
I had already been working with Gracie on the “up” trick mentioned in the article. My variation is “hop, hop.” I use it when I want her to jump into my arms. I also use it when I want her to jump onto her favorite chair so I can remove her harness. It is great at the pet store too when I see a large dog heading our way. It gives her an opportunity to remove herself, with a little bit of doggy dignity, from a potential confrontation.
I would love to give you a link to the article, but it has not been posted yet. I did find a link to a similar article, though, by the same author. Here’s a link to the article if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/eight-basic-training-cues-teach-your-dog
When you are working with your buddy, you will find that a lot of basic tricks can have a practical application in everyday settings. Be patient, and enjoy spending time with your buddy.
Rescue Mommy
As the title implies, these cute tricks have applications in everyday life. For example, the “shake” trick can be used when you trim a dog’s nails or need to check the pads of the dog’s feet.
I had already been working with Gracie on the “up” trick mentioned in the article. My variation is “hop, hop.” I use it when I want her to jump into my arms. I also use it when I want her to jump onto her favorite chair so I can remove her harness. It is great at the pet store too when I see a large dog heading our way. It gives her an opportunity to remove herself, with a little bit of doggy dignity, from a potential confrontation.
I would love to give you a link to the article, but it has not been posted yet. I did find a link to a similar article, though, by the same author. Here’s a link to the article if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/eight-basic-training-cues-teach-your-dog
When you are working with your buddy, you will find that a lot of basic tricks can have a practical application in everyday settings. Be patient, and enjoy spending time with your buddy.
Rescue Mommy
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dominance Theory
In the September/October 2011 edition of Bark magazine, Patricia McConnell wrote an interesting article about dominance training entitled Action/Re-Action: The Temptation of the Dominance Fallacy. The practice of establishing dominance over your dog used to be viewed as good training technique. In recent years, though, more animal behaviorists are turning their backs on the approach, favoring positive reinforcement instead.
I have been a dog owner, guardian, companion – whatever term you want to use – for over 20 years. When Perdy came into my life, achieving dominance was something you were supposed to do. Positive reinforcement really was not something I recall as a topic of discussion.
Don’t worry. I am not about to tell you that I beat her into submission because I followed the dominance training techniques. Anyone who has ever had a Dalmatian knows they are happy-go-lucky, albeit stubborn dogs. Both Dino and she would do just about anything for affection. Dino would give me his best used car salesperson look as if to say, “What’s it gonna take to close the deal?” Then, he would go through his whole repertoire of tricks (all 3 of them) to get the treat.
The same thing goes with Gracie. She wants belly rubs and treats. Since she is an anxious, fearful dog, I know that she would shut down with harsh discipline. It has taken two years to gain her trust. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?
I admit that, at first, I thought the whole backlash against dominance theory meant we were supposed to let dogs run free, do whatever it is they want to do, and never say “no” to the dog. As you have probably gathered from reading my blog, I believe in structure and boundaries.
You still have rules with positive reinforcement. You define them, teach them to the dog, and reward the dog when he/she succeeds, not roll the dog onto its back and say, “Bad dog!! I am the Queen; do my bidding!!” (Well, Kiki still favors that method, but that’s another story.)
The article is definitely worth a read. It is time we all open our minds to a better approach to training. Here is a link to the article, if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/down-dominance
Rescue Mommy
I have been a dog owner, guardian, companion – whatever term you want to use – for over 20 years. When Perdy came into my life, achieving dominance was something you were supposed to do. Positive reinforcement really was not something I recall as a topic of discussion.
Don’t worry. I am not about to tell you that I beat her into submission because I followed the dominance training techniques. Anyone who has ever had a Dalmatian knows they are happy-go-lucky, albeit stubborn dogs. Both Dino and she would do just about anything for affection. Dino would give me his best used car salesperson look as if to say, “What’s it gonna take to close the deal?” Then, he would go through his whole repertoire of tricks (all 3 of them) to get the treat.
The same thing goes with Gracie. She wants belly rubs and treats. Since she is an anxious, fearful dog, I know that she would shut down with harsh discipline. It has taken two years to gain her trust. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?
I admit that, at first, I thought the whole backlash against dominance theory meant we were supposed to let dogs run free, do whatever it is they want to do, and never say “no” to the dog. As you have probably gathered from reading my blog, I believe in structure and boundaries.
You still have rules with positive reinforcement. You define them, teach them to the dog, and reward the dog when he/she succeeds, not roll the dog onto its back and say, “Bad dog!! I am the Queen; do my bidding!!” (Well, Kiki still favors that method, but that’s another story.)
The article is definitely worth a read. It is time we all open our minds to a better approach to training. Here is a link to the article, if you are interested: http://www.thebark.com/content/down-dominance
Rescue Mommy
Friday, February 11, 2011
Safe Pet Toys - THEBARK.COM
I read an interesting article about pet toys on their website. Here is the link:
http://www.thebark.com/content/choosing-safe-dog-toys
Be sure to read the comments at the end. Folks offer interesting tips for finding safe toys.
Rescue Mommy
http://www.thebark.com/content/choosing-safe-dog-toys
Be sure to read the comments at the end. Folks offer interesting tips for finding safe toys.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
BARK magazine, February/March 2011 issue
The new issue arrived in the mail on Saturday. If you have a senior pet, you should definitely pick up a copy. It contains several articles about dealing with older dogs.
It also has an interesting article about fearful dogs. I ordered a couple of the books mentioned in the article. I will let you know if they offer any useful tips.
The magazine has a website, thebark.com. Some of the articles from the magazine are located there too. (If you are patient, they add more articles from past issues later.) Happy reading!
Rescue Mommy
It also has an interesting article about fearful dogs. I ordered a couple of the books mentioned in the article. I will let you know if they offer any useful tips.
The magazine has a website, thebark.com. Some of the articles from the magazine are located there too. (If you are patient, they add more articles from past issues later.) Happy reading!
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
New Website to Check Out
Have you ever read “The Bark” magazine? Well, you do not necessarily need a subscription. They feature interesting articles and have lots of helpful information on their website. Check it out at http://www.thebark.com/
Rescue Mommy
Rescue Mommy
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