One night I slept off without locking up, Maisky kept watch at the door. Then about 3 AM I was roused from sleep by his loud barking under my bed. I opened my eyes to behold a man right inside my room, and I acted instinctively throwing my reading chair, which was by the bedside, at the intruder. He jumped out the room, and I quickly rushed and pushed the jam -lock-door to.

Then my heart started to dance to Maisky’s frenzy barking. I was almost going into cardiac arrest trying to quieten my dog who by now was bent on not leaving the security of the room. He was very afraid of the intruder whom Read the rest of this entry »

Do you ever wonder how much a dog can really taste? Does it really matter whether you get him the beef liver treats or the turkey liver treats? Isn’t it all just the same in the end anyway? How much can the dog really tell the difference?

Anyone who has a dog knows they will eat just about everything, save the occasional vegetable. I am sure most of you either have or know at least one dog that sits at your feet when you eat. He/she either stares with that adorable slightly Read the rest of this entry »

How to Handle Dogs that Jump up on People

In parts 1 and 2 of this 3-part series we discussed two canine behavior problems; biting and barking. In this 3rd and final article, we will discuss the problem of puppies and dogs that jump up on people.

Most puppies and many dogs have the habit of jumping up on people. This is actually their away of greeting people, and trying to reach the individual’s face. For puppies, the facial area is the chief point of contact between them Read the rest of this entry »

There is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and make sure you have recipes that give the correct ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and supplements you’ll need to add. These can be mixed up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal.
Read the rest of this entry »

Coming when called is a vital skill that every dog must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it. A disobedient dog that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another dog, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences.
Read the rest of this entry »

House training is one of the most important parts of training any dog to be a valued part of the family. As with many other aspects of dog training, the best way to house train a dog is to use the dog’s own nature to your benefit.
Read the rest of this entry »

Do you feel you should take a dog training course? Well, who certifies dog trainers? Nobody, officially; this is an unregulated field. At this time, the only credible organization certifying trainers is the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI). NADOI has an extensive evaluation process, and only certifies experienced trainers. A NADOI certification is a definite feather in your cap, but that option isn’t available to new instructors.

At this time, NADOI and the APDT are the only organizations recognized by professional trainers and veterinarians.
Read the rest of this entry »

There is something particularly beautiful and sweet about the relationship between kids and Westies. Growing up with a canine companion can teach children that responsible care giving is well worth the effort, for the love and loyalty they receive in return.

A faithful Westie can instill in a child a sense of trust and security that will carry over into human relationship. Westies make great playmates, protectors and pillows and they are always available to listen and sympathize when parents, teachers, friends and siblings just do not understand.
Read the rest of this entry »

Basic obedience training is essential for every dog as they are the foundation to a well-behave dog. There are 5 basic obedience commands that every dog should know namely:

Sit – Your dog’s hip should be on the ground while his shoulder stays upright.

Down – Your dog should lied down on the ground and keep still. Read the rest of this entry »

These days, dogs dying and getting sick mysteriously are becoming more and more common than ever before. Veterinarians cannot explain how and why a healthy dog could just suddenly becomes sick and then fall prey to diseases like kidney problems and skin problems.

What most dog owners do not know is that a very real culprit is the food that their pets eat. This is where ebooks such as The Dog Food Secrets come in to play. Pet owners should become more informed regarding (and interestingly) the dirty web of lies involving commercial dog food companies. These lies result in the death and sickness of many of our beloved pets. All in the name of profits.

Read the rest of this entry »