Book Review: 30 Days to a Well-Mannered Dog by Tamar Gellar

Book Review: 30 Days to a Well-Mannered Dog by Tamar Gellar, 2010


This book offers more advice than her previous book, The Loved Dog. The week-by-week lessons provide a good training guide. Each week, you build upon previous lessons.

Now, did Gracie magically become a well-mannered dog in 30 days? No. For starters, there were some things she had already mastered – housebreaking, sit, leave it, et cetera.

The main problem, though, is dedication on my part. As with all training, if you do not commit the time, you do not get the result. However, I have learned a few tips to apply on a daily basis. Plus, I have a good guide to follow when I stop being lazy.

I would definitely recommend this book as a great training resource. Ms. Gellar’s patient, loving approach will yield the results you want – if you make the time for training, of course!

Rescue Mommy

I Am A Bit Lazy

I read lots of books and articles about dog training. I do try to be consistent in my commands with Gracie. However, I confess that I have been a bit lazy lately.

Gracie is a bit stubborn. If you are not consistent and…I hate to say “firm,” but I think you know what I mean…she will do whatever she likes. She just looks around as if she wants to say, “What?? Did you say something??”

This week, we have been working on the basics again. She has not forgotten them. She just knows she does not always have to use them to get what she wants.

I tell this story because it is easy to let hectic schedules take over. The next thing you know, your dog is misbehaving, and you are frustrated. You do not train your buddy a command once and expect your friend to know it forever. Consistent application is the key to success. Now, let’s get out the treat bag and spend some time with our furry friends!

Rescue Mommy

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at Rescue Pets Rule, have a safe Thanksgiving holiday with your human and furry friends and family. 

Squeaky Monkey Mania

Mini Stuffing Free Monkey Toy



By Petstages, Available at PetSmart, about $7

Gracie is crazy about the squeaky monkey toy, as evident from her numerous blogs about it. She was extremely disappointed when the puppy-on-loan broke it. Unfortunately, it took me a few weeks to find a replacement. Apparently, others have discovered the joy of the squeaky monkey toy too.

As you can see from the picture below, the toy is designed for smaller dogs. I would not recommend it for larger dogs or power chewers. Gracie plays with it for about 30 minutes or so, then moves on to another toy. The fabric would not withstand rough play, as the puppy certainly proved.

The toy itself is made of soft fabric covering a plastic tube. The tube is designed in such a way that it makes two noises: one high-pitched squeak, one deeper moan. The packaging claims that the chamber will squeak even if it is punctured. It will; however, the noises will not be as pronounced as they are when the chamber is intact. Gracie was disappointed when this happened and would not play with the toy very much after it happened.

I definitely recommend the toy, though. She absolutely loves it.

People Food Hazards - Thanksgiving Reload

Thanksgiving is Thursday. Let’s revisit the people food hazard list:

Alcohol
Avocado
Caffeine
Chives
Chocolate
Coffee
Garlic
Grapes and Raisins
Macadamia Nuts
Milk
Onions
Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, and Bones (no turkey bones!)
Salt
Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
Yeast Dough

*Source: ASPCA website

If your pet eats any of these or other toxic items, call your vet immediately. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. They charge a consulting fee for the call, though.

Stay calm. Be sure to note what and how much your pet has consumed. If you are not sure what it is, grab whatever is left and take it with you when you head to the vet’s office.

We hope you and your family have a safe, wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Rescue Mommy

I Love Fall Too

I totally agree with Gracie. Fall is my favorite season. Few things are still in bloom, so a stroll in the woods does not result in clogged sinuses. The heat and humidity of summer has departed. The frigid, bone-chilling temps and mounds of snow have yet to arrive. It is perfect.

We have a few precious weeks before winter arrives. Get outside this weekend and spend some time with your buddy. Before we know it, a 5-minute stroll will require 50 layers of clothing. Let’s enjoy it while we can!

Rescue Mommy

Restrain Yourself

Last week, I was involved in a very minor traffic accident. Fortunately, no one involved was seriously hurt. No pets were inside either vehicle.

If Gracie, Kiki, or Maddy had been in the car, I can only hope they would have been okay too. When Gracie rides in the car, I use a very simple, inexpensive device to restrain her. It looks like a miniature leash. It attaches to her harness, and you then thread the loop through the seatbelt. It allows her to stand but otherwise restrains her in the seat. I found it at PetSmart for about $4.

Some people place their pets in carriers. This is the approach I take with the cats. I then secure the carrier by looping the seatbelt through the handle or using carrier straps (again, found at Petsmart) through which I thread the seatbelt. I would not want the carrier to shift about in travel or, in the worst case, come crashing forward in the event of an accident.

Regardless of the method you use, please consider using some sort of device to restrain your pet. Not only will it greatly improve his or her chance of surviving an accident, it might prevent one from occurring in the first place. Be safe!

Rescue Mommy