Consider a dog walker if you:

• Are not able to walk your dog as much as or as long as it should be walked.
• Are gone for most of the day on a regular basis.
• Want to have someone else on hand for those times when you just can't give your dog the walking it needs.
• Want your dog to be socialized with someone else besides you.

Not every dog is happy being walked by someone else. Take a very realistic and objective assessment of your dog to confirm that it:

• is well socialized to people and other dogs,
• is well trained, and
• allows other people to handle it.

Be honest with yourself! The dog walker is going to figure it out anyway, so best to go into this with an objective perspective.

How do you start finding the person who is right for you and your dog?

• First, ask around for recommendations - family, friends, neighbors, people at the dog park, your vet, your groomer, and neighborhood dog owners.
• Be sure to ask some of the questions below to the people who give you referrals.
• When you have a list you are comfortable with, conduct phone interviews to come up with a short list of finalists.
• Have each finalist come to your home to get the rest of the information you need.

A reputable dog walker will be happy to answer your questions, will want to come to your home to meet your dog, and will want to take your dog on a "trial walk". If anyone hesitates about any of these three things, take that person off your list.

Treat this as a job interview. You are the boss and the interviewees are potential employees.

• This is your dog, and you have the responsibility to select the very best person for the job.
• Frame your questions so they lead to a discussion, not a "yes" or "no". Have a conversation, and ask for lots of examples.
• If you, at any point in the interview, feel uncomfortable with the person, or feel that the person is not being completely honest with you, then bring the interview to a close politely, and take that person off your list.

What information will help you make the best decision?

Here is a list of some of the important information you should understand clearly before making a decision:

• Training and experience with dogs and with walking dogs.
• Procedures, including: typical walk schedule (including weekends and holidays), where they will go, number of dogs that will be walking along with your dog, field trips like going to the dog park or the beach.
• Business policies and processes, including: who exactly will be doing the walks, payment - what is and is not included, contracts, trail period, notice expected if you need to change the schedule or cancel or add walks, legal provisions and bonding in case your dog gets lost or hurt on a walk, how the key to your house will be managed.
• Amenities, such as transporting your dog to the vet or groomer, giving your dog food and water, administering medications to your dog.

If you are not absolutely clear about something, keep asking questions about it until you are. If you don't like the answers to your questions, then take the person off your list. This is a business decision, and has nothing to do with whether or not the person is really sweet or in need of extra cash or anything else. Even if the person is your best friend's cousin's daughter or was strongly recommended by your mom, you do not have to hire that person if he or she is not right for you and your dog.

Do keep in mind, though, that some Dog people are not People people. If someone adores your dog, handles it beyond amazing, manages to have it happily obey every command, and is adored by your dog, that is the right person - even if they are somewhat of a curmudgeon around you.

Also keep in mind that if you become dissatisfied with the arrangement, you can end it and find another dog walker. If you hire a service, and don't think one of the walkers is right for your dog, but another one is - speak up to the owner of the service.

It is your dog. Your dog is your best friend. Your best friend deserves the very best.

In this season of celebration, we again celebrate independent authors who have written books about dogs, books for dog owners, and books with a dog as the main character.

The title of each book below is a link that takes you directly to the book on Amazon. On the Resources page, you will find another link - just click on the picture of the book cover.

We hope that you enjoy these amazing books!

How Sadie Learned To Smile

People who know me know that I am rarely speechless. This beautifully illustrated book left me speechless. What words to describe it? Heartwarming. Memorable. Must Read. Touching. All of those are too trite for the story of Sadie, her life, and her philosophy of life: SMILE Seeing Magic In Life Everyday

Available on Amazon in paperback.

Linda Boulanger is a volunteer at her local animal rescue foundation, a writer, a book designer, and leader of TreasureLine Publishing co-op, in addition to being mom to four children and four rescued pets. Her work with the animals at the rescue foundation inspired her to write this book - and we are so glad that she did!

If I Can’t Be At Your Feet

In his autobiography, Gunther Denali, the black lab, takes us along with him as he reminisces about some of the many (mis)adventures during his 15 years. His philosophy of living every minute to its fullest is evident as he recounts his life from puppyhood into advanced age. Gunther Denali has lessons for all of us. What a life! A word of caution: don’t let your dog read this book. Some of Gunther’s antics may not be things you want your dog trying. And you will need to explain to your dog why you don’t throw lavish birthday parties complete with wrapped birthday presents for it every year.

Crystal Frakes Brown, an independent author, was inspired to write this book by the love and loyalty of her black lab Gunther, who stuck by her side throughout the many sleepless nights of her pregnancy.

Available on Amazon in paperback and for the Kindle.

To Truckees Trail

In this fascinating detailed narrative, we trek across the country from Ohio to California with the Stephens-Townsend Paty of covered wagons from February, 1844 to March, 1845. OK, the dog - named Dog - was not a central figure in this book. But we were completely hooked by the story and decided to include the book anyway. If you are a history buff, this book is for you. If you, like me, have never given much thought about what it might be like to travel across the United States in a covered wagon, this book is an eye-opener, and will bring a new appreciation for a hot shower and a refrigerator.

Celia D. Hayes is a freelance writer/editor, retired Air Force radio/TV broadcast NCO, blogger, and author of six historical fiction novels. She was inspired to write this book when she heard the story of the very first party of early emigrants to bring their wagons over the Sierra Nevada in winter, two years before the more famous Donner Party.

Available on Amazon in paperback and for the Kindle.

This Will Not Look Good on my Resume

Those of you who have recently graduated from school and entered the world of temp jobs in our current economy will connect with this book. Those of you who have full-time work will thank your lucky stars as you read through the chapters (or maybe you will find yourself in one of the chapters, hanging on to that job in spite of it for fear of the dreaded temp circuit). In any case, you will chuckle your way from one job story to the next. The last chapter, Walking (with) the Dogs was, reportedly, the most fun to write. It has Jass thinking about expanding it into a full book. (We hope she does!)

Jass Richards, a philosopher and "sit-down comic" was inspired to write this book after pondering all the road-to-nowhere jobs she has had. She has recently published her first novel, The Road Trip Dialogues. 

Available on Amazon in paperback and for the Kindle.

Dogs, Flags And Their Countries of Origin

This is a great activity and coloring book to have on hand at family gatherings or on road trips where childern of all ages can enjoy the book together, with the older kids helping the younger ones. It is also great for parents and grandparents to enjoy with the little ones. There is a lot to learn for people of all ages. We hope that Gail Forsyth will give us at least one sequel with more dogs.

Gail Forsyth, a mother and grandmother and dog lover, never passes up an opportunity to provide children with fun experiences while learning something new. Be sure to look for Gail’s next book about traveling with your dog, scheduled for publication in 2012.

Available on Amzon in paperback.

Dog Training Best Friends Learning Together

Not your typical “cook book” style dog training book, Andrew Ledford introduces us to RenChenZa - human/dog wisdom. He gives us seven “points of reference” and five “life rules” to help us understand and work with our dogs. His philosophy is that understanding dogs can be a great working model for understanding life and how we function as individuals. The purpose of his approach is to “make the world a better place through the human/dog experience.” Those of us who have dogs in our lives already know our own world is a better place. Andrew Ledford’s book offers a lot to think about in our relationship with our dogs.

Andrew Ledford, our enigmatic author of the year, was reluctant to share any personal information about himself. What we do know is that he is completely committed to his philosophy of dog training, and to helping others work with their dogs with love and a positive approach.

Available on Amazon in Paperback.

Something’s Lost And Must Be Found
 
These six short stories (Short Tails of Inspiration on a Long Leash) show us how our dogs give us hope and find those things in life that we sometimes lose. The dogs in these tales of tragic loss, family connections, teen-aged angst, joblessness, self-worth, and a very special dog finding his way to “la casa verdad” help us see our lives with our dogs with a new perspective.

A former Human Resources Associate, author Lisa Begin-Kruysman is presently writing a biography of the late Captain William Lewis Judy, publisher of Dog World Magazine and Founder of National Dog Week.  She is also the author of several published short stories. The stories of Something's Lost and Must be Found were inspired by the subjects of her blog posts, and celebrate the search and rescue dogs of lost souls.

Available on Amazon for the Kindle.

Books make great gifts, and what better books to curl up with on a cold winter evening than books that feature our best furry friends. Below is a list of books by independent authors through small publishers that you are sure to enjoy. They are about dogs or have a dog in either a leading or small role. One is even a dog autobiography. They are fiction and non-fiction, mysteries and science fiction, inspirational, and informational. You can go directly to each book on Amazon by clicking on the link under the book description.

Rowe, Trevor Another Day, Another Dog

Cold weather is around the corner, and it’s time to make sure our dogs are ready. If your dog is like mine, when the snow is flying the tail is wagging. But not all dogs love to play in the snow and stick their noses up into the north wind. Even if you live in a place where snow is rare and freezing weather never happens, there are some things to consider about our dogs and cooler weather.

WINTER WEAR

Boots and Wax:

• In snowy areas where snow melt chemicals and salt are used on streets, parking areas, and sidewalks, your dog should wear boots or use a paw wax when outside. Boots have the added advantage of protecting your dog’s paws from broken glass, bits of metal, and other sharp things buried in the snow.
• If you don’t want to use boots or wax, make sure you wash your dog’s feet after every walk to get all the chemicals off, including antifreeze that it may have walked thorugh. We don’t want our dogs ingesting this stuff from licking its paws after a trip outside.

Sweaters, Jackets, and Coats:

• Some dogs are not made for cold weather. Small dogs, thin dogs, and dogs with little or no hair should probably wear a sweater or a coat if it is out in very cold weather. So should puppies and older dogs.
• Make sure that anything you buy or make is easy to put on and machine washable. If you live in snow-land, make sure it is water resistant.

In general:

• Follow the measuring advice for any item you order over the internet.
• If people make fun of your dog in boots and a coat, take note – they are probably well-bundled up and they are probably not going barefoot!
• See the section on Dog Boots in Training The City Dog for tips on training your dog to wear boots. The same information would apply to training your dog to wear a sweater or coat.
• Examples of Winter Wear can be found on the Resources tab.

DANGER!

• Antifreeze and windshield cleaner are poision! The serious problem is that dogs seem to like the taste of them. Keep them out of your dog’s reach. Antifreeze collects on roads, driveways, and parking areas, so make sure your dog keeps its nose up high. If your dog doesn’t wear boots, wash its feet after every trip through a parking area, across a driveway, or across a street.
• Snow Melt Chemicals and Rock Salt irritate paws and tummies, and some products are toxic. If your dog doesn’t wear boots, make sure you clean its paws after a walk.
• Fireplaces, portable heaters, and steam radiators pose the same burn dangers to your dog as they do to a child. Block them off so your dog can’t get near them.
• Holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, and lillies are poisionous! Keep them out of reach of your dog’s nosey nose.
• Don’t use glass ornaments, edible ornaments, or tinsel on the Christmas tree at all, and it is best to not put any ornaments within reach of your dog. The tree might look a littlel odd – safety is more important.
• Alcohol, coffee, chocolate, and nuts are toxic to dogs, so keep them out of nose reach. If you are entertaining, it's a good idea to keep your dog out of the area entirely.
• Lakes, rivers, and ponds that appear frozen may not be frozen enough for your dog to walk on. Take great care that your dog doesn’t dash off across water that might be deeper than its ankles if the ice doesn't hold.
• Temperatures in the teens or below can be dangerous for many dogs. If your dog is small, has short hair (or no hair), is old or is a puppy, limit the amount of time your dog spends outside to 10 minutes or less when it is that cold.
• Frostbite doesn’t just happen to people. When the windchill is low or if wet out in the cold, dogs can suffer frostbite, too. They are especially vulnerable on their thin ears, the tips of their tails, and their toes.
• Dry your dog right away after it has been playing in the snow. Many dogs have thick undercoats, but they, too, can be at risk if they remain out in very cold weather when they are soaking wet.
• Make sure you pull the snowballs out of your dogs fur, and if your dog goes barefoot in the snow, get all the snowballs out of its feet.
• If your dog stays in the garage in the winter, remember that the carbon monoxide coming from your car exhaust while your car warms up is dangerous for your dog. Also keep all those chemicals (including the gas and oil for the snow blower) up and away in cupboards.

MORE WINTER TIPS

• If your dog lives outside in the winter, make sure his house:
  • is appropriate for the weather in your area
  • does not face the prevailing wind direction
  • has dry, warm, clean bedding, and fresh water (that is not frozen) at all times
  • if you use straw, make sure it is changed frequently to prevent skin and respiratory problems
• Back yard snow
  
  • Keep snow piles away from your fence so your dog can't just climb up the snow and over the fence.
  • Pack snow piles so your dog can’t get buried in the snow.
  • And make sure you don’t have snow dams in your eves because when the icicicles drop, they can injure your dog. (Ice dams are not good for your roof either, so get your gutters are winter-ready.)
  • If you have a little dog and live in a place with deep snow, fall is a good time to train your dog to use a litterbox. That eliminates the need to take your dog outside when the snow is deep and the temperature is cold.
  • Keep a path to your dog’s potty area and the potty area shoveled
• Get your dog out and about.It is easy to get lazy in the winter, but we need to get up and out to take our dogs for walks and play with them.
  • If you can’t get out in the winter, have a dog walker come regularly or take your dog to dog day care.
  • Winter is a good time to brush up on good manners by taking training classes to exercise both you and your dog, or sign up for tricks classes for good doggy mental exercise.
  • Check in your area to see if there are indoor agility and flyball facilities for winter exercise.
  • And play lots of games indoors.
• If you have a working dog that is outside for long periods during the winter, feed it high quality nutritious food, including food with fish in it, to generate extra energy to regulate its body temperature. This is not the time of year to save money by buying cheap dog food. You may notice that your dog is hungrier than usual in the fall. This is nature’s way of helping it build up a layer of fat to keep it warm in the winter. Let it have more food at mealtime during this time. Your dog does not need to get obese, but it is important to lay on that little extra for winter.
• Winter grooming:
  
  • Keep your dog's coat brushed and clean in winter so the fur provides optimum insulation. Matted fur doesn’t provide complete insulation from the cold.
  • Let your dog’s fur grow a little longer for winter, to provide some extra protection from the cold.
  • Check for irritation in your dog’s paw pads. If your dog’s paw pads are getting raw and cracked, you should consider using one of the wax products.
• Dogs get dehydrated in the winter, so make sure there is plenty of fresh water out. If your dog stays in a cold area, use a heated water dish so the water doesn’t freeze, or check the water regularly to make sure it isn't frozen.

Copyright 2010 Katherine Kane

. . . talks with us about harness collars for pet safety.

Bob has been involved in the animal care field for over twenty years. He has an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science from Santa Fe Community College, and over 100 additional semester hours in animal-related coursework. He has been a zoo-keeper, an Alachua County Animal Services Officer, and a veterinary technician. He is now a full-time pet sitter, and is certified by, and a member of, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

With this introduction, we'll turn it over to Bob.

"I have seen dozens of dogs needlessly hit by cars and attacked and killed by other dogs whose owners never thought it would happen to them. I have seen the suffering that dogs experience, and the heartbreak their owners go through.

You can save your dog's life by following five simple steps:

1. NEVER let your dog outside (except in a fenced yard) without you attached to one end of a leash and your dog secured to the other end in a harness.
2. When you are out with your dog, always use a harness, not a collar. Your dog can slip out of a collar in a few seconds and be gone forever.
3. Only use a collar for attaching your dog's identification and for a fashion statement.
4. Keep your dog's identification attached to its collar or harness at all times (yes, even inside). In addition to the possibility that your dog might bold out the door when you least expect it, emergency situations sometimes arise (such as weather events or a fire). If your dog has identification, there is a greater likelihood that the two of you will be reunited.
5. Inspect your fence regularly for any damage or gaps that would allow your dog to escape.

Important Points About A Harness:

1. Choose the appropriate size harness for your dog or cat by measuring the circumference from around the belly to the top of the shoulder and adding five percent.
2. A harness must fit snugly in order to work properly. There should be no slack when it is properly fitted on your pet.
3. If you like a harness that will give you greater control, look for one with the leash attachment in the front of the harness, as opposed to one with the attachment on the top.
4. The Gentle Leader, or a similar head halter device, does not substitute for a harness. The reason is that the harness and the halter are designed for two different purposes. The halter is designed to move the head of your pet in the direction you want it to go. It is a training tool, and should not be used outside of a controlled environment, since it may cause injury or allow your pet to escape should it become frantic. It does not provide secure restraint. The harness is specifically designed to restrain your pet safely while keeping it from escaping or being injured.

Remember, you can control your own actions. But you cannot control the actions of those who may harm your pet, like speeding cars, other dogs, or predators.

Think your dog is so well trained that you don't need to keep it on a leash? Please read this article about the tragic death of a canine officer. It just proves that, 'No matter how well-trained any animal is, it is still an animal. There will always remain a degree of unpredictability in their behavior.' If this can happen to a very highly-trained officer and a trained law enforcement dog, it can happen to you and your dog.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100710/ARTICLES/7101002

SIDEBAR: Please don't buy a family member. ADOPT! If you prefer a particular breed, contact a purebred rescue group like The Bulldog Club of America's rescue group for Bulldogs or the American German Shepherd Rescue Association. You can also go through The American Kennel Club to fid a specific breed to rescue: http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm or contact me at http://bobspetsitting.com and I will be happy to help you."

We want to thank Bob for sharing his expertise with us. Visit his website http://www.bobspetsitting.com for more pet safety tips.

The views presented above are the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of City Pet Books.

CPB POV We agree 100% with Bob about keeping our dogs safely right by our sides unless they are in a fenced yard or a dog park. We have seen too many dogs running loose in city parks, with cars whizzing past in all directions. In the past two years, we have seen several dogs hit by cars, a few people injured by being run into or knocked down by dogs running loose, and a couple of car accidents because the drivers have swerved to avoid hitting dogs racing into streets. When incidents like these happen, the most common response of the dogs' owners is something like this: "My dog has never done that before!" Or like this: "He always stops running when I yell STOP." The response is always one of complete shock that their dogs behaved so unpredictably and out of control.    Bob's solution would prevent accidents like these!

If you object to using a harness, at least use a sturdy collar with a sturdy leash. Very sturdy collar. Very sturdy leash. That is not perfect, but it is better than letting your dog run loose. (Beware of retractable leashes when you are out and about with your dog. Two of the many reasons: 1. You cannot be in full control of your dog with a retractable leash. 2. They break easily and when least expected.)

You've been at school or work all day. You are tired. You are hungry. When you get in the door, your best furry friend is greeting you with as much enthusiasm as any creature can muster up - smiling, tail wagging, spinning around. Here's the question: How do you show your dog that you love it just as much as it loves you when your brain is fried, you are cranky, and all you want to do is nothing? Don't delegate this to the kids or the sig-other - you and your dog need to bond for a little bit every single day.

We do not advocate only tiny bits of affection on a daily basis. Our dogs need lots of loving. But some days are just worse than others. So, here are some short and simple ways to show your dog you love it. And which, by the way, will make you feel treat, too! (See the Resources tab for some books that support this theory.)

1. Take that walk. Yes, it is dark and cold out, maybe icy and below zero. Or it is summer and the humidity and the temperature are battling to see which can hit three digits first. You don't need to walk forever. That isn't good for either of you when it is too cold or too hot. But just a few minutes to burn some of those candy bar calories and show Fluffy that you are willing to go outside with her instead of sending her out while you stay in. If the weather is beautiful, take a moment to change your clothes and go on a nice long walk. You will feel much better, I promise. And Fluffy will be delighted!
2. Give Spot a good rubdown. Give him a super-rub from stem to stern and back again. It will just take a minute of your time, and Spot will think he hit the jackpot. And if he is wet from rain or snow, this gets him dry as a bonus for you.
3. Close your eyes for just a few minutes and pet your pet. Lounging on the couch or in that favorite chair? If Moppet is a lap dog, invite her up. If Dude weighs more than you do and there is not room for both of you, pet him while you sit there. You will feel the stress melting away. It is true. Having a pet and petting a pet makes our heart rate slow down and our stress levels go down. It simply makes us feel better. (See the Resources tab for some books that support this theory.)
4. Talk to Fido. Tell him all about your day. Talk about whatever. Our dogs love to hear our voices. Some dogs look like they could care less about what you are saying, but they are listening. They are. Other dogs sit right up and tilt their heads this way and that, and look like they would chime in if only they could talk people-talk. Some dogs will vocalize along with you, answering your questions and posing some of their own. It is not silly to talk to our dogs. They love it. They do not argue with us. They do not tell us that we are being ridiculous. They do not tell us to be quiet. They just listen. How many people have you talked with today that have hung on your every word and not said anything to make you feel less than perfect?
5. Doing tricks is an excellent way of getting your dog some exercise. Prepare for this ahead of time by getting one of those tricks books (see the resources page for some recommendations). If you have a bit more time, pick a new trick to teach Doodles. If you have only a few minutes, practice some of the tricks Doodles already knows. Mental stimulation counts as exercise for dogs (not all the daily exercise needs, but some of it). It is a great way to keep Doodles from engaging in bored destruction. And it is a great way to bond with her. Ten minutes, fifteen minutes. That is all you need to spend. A few minutes of practice a few evenings a week all winter, and you and Doodles will be able to put on a show for the neighborhood kids this summer.
6. Don't want to do tricks today? Brush your dog's hair. Some dogs need a good brushing at least several times a week. Others are fine without it. In either case, it feels so good to Homer. And it is another stress buster for you.
7. Play "Find It". Droopy doesn't have to be a bloodhound to like to find things. I have never met a dog that doesn't love to find tiny treats that are hidden around or tossed around. (Like Easter eggs, remember how many you put out and try to remember where they are, so you can do an accounting when Droopy thinks the fun is all over.)
8. Read to your dog. Do you read to your kids at betdime? Have Snoozer join you. It is up to you about Snoozer being allowed on the bed with the kids. If it is not allowed, you and Snoozer can both sit on the floor, or Snoozer can lie down by the bed. Don't have kids? You can read to Snoozer anyway. See the Resources tab for two recommended books.
9. Multi-task and pet your pet. On the phone? It only takes one hand to hold the phone. Use the other one to pet Bruiser. Put the dishtowel down and pet your pet.
10. Every single time that Sassy is being good and quiet, tell her and show her she is being a good girl. Give her a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear or a quick belly rub. She may be sassy, but she is no dummy. If she gets something good everytime she is good, she will be good a whole lot more often.

Naturally, the more attention you give your dog, the better. But the reality is that many of us come home after a long day and have others to cook for and care for and attend to. Sometimes we go through an entire evening without really focusing on our dog at all. So CPB wanted to offer a few easy tips for giving our dogs love every single day, no matter how busy or tired or grouchy we are.

Tubs will still need to get some exercise if he has been home alone all day. We’ll talk about that topic another time. Today just show Tubs you love him. And tomorrow. And the next day. And every single day.

CPB POV: The resources listed in the Resources Tab regarding the historic bond between humans and animals discuss theoretical points of view. We realize that they are highly controversial. However, we subscribe to the idea that people should read a variety of points of view and make up their own minds.

copyright 2011 Katherine Kane

We often focus on the cold of winter and the heat of summer, but there are some important things to consider for spring, too.

Leashes, collars, and halters age and get frayed. Spring is a good time to check all your leashes, collars, and halters to make sure they are still strong. Replace any that are beginning to show wear.

Since we are out and about with our dogs more, spring is the time to make sure your dog is registered with your municipality and has it's ID tag with your contact information. Dogs can get lost. There is nothing worse than not being able to find your dog and knowing that it has no ID, so when it is found you cannot be contacted for a reunion. If it is turned into a shelter or an animal control department, it will probably be euthanized within a few days if there is no way to find you. There are organizations that serve as clearing houses for lost dogs, and it is worth looking into one of these. We recommend PawTags, but there are others that provide similar services.

Heartworm is a terrible parasite that makes our dogs very ill, and can kill them. It is easily prevented with a monthly pill (that tastes yummy to our dogs, I hear, although I've not tried it). If you live in an area where you don't need to use heartworm treatment all year, spring is the time to take your dog to the vet for testing, and the time to pick up your heartworm medication. The great thing about this treatment is that it also guards against a large mumber of other parasites, including tapeworm and hookworm.

Topical flea and tick monthly applications should begin in the spring. Since one female flea can lay hundreds of eggs every day, preventing them entirely is the best approach. Even if your dog is a city dog, if it goes to dog day care or plays in dog runs and dog parks or goes outside for walks, fleas and ticks are a potential threat. Treatment doesn't urt, and it can help. Who wants a flea infested dog, home, and car? Makes me scratch to think about it.

We are all more active starting in the spring, and it is time to take our dogs out several times a day to play and for walks, instead of hibernating indoors. Healthy food, vitamin supplements, and lots of fresh water every day helps our dogs stay healthy and full of energy.

Plants start budding and growing in the spring. Make sure that your yard is free of toxic plants like lilies, azaleas, rhododendrons, and oleander. If you have these plants in your yard and don't want to do major re-landscaping, make sure you have fencing or other ways to keep your dog away from these, and other, toxic plants. If you are starting a landscaping project, check each plant you want to install to make sure it is not toxic to your pets.

Fertilizers and insecticides are toxic. They can be fatal. CPB promotes a chemical-free environment. However, we do understand that some people have their reasons for using toxic chemicals in their yards and flower beds. If you think chemicals are necessary for your gardening, make sure your dog is kept inside for SEVERAL DAYS LONGER THAN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED PERIOD. And please let your neighbors know before applying chemicals to your lawn and garden. Not everyone who uses lawn and garden chemicals cares about your pets (or your children, for that matter). So make sure that when you take your dog for a walk, you keep it off treated areas. I am not aware of any municipalities in the U.S. that allow chemicals to be spread in public areas without posting little signs. But those signs get removed, so if you smell that familiar chemical smell, keep your dog off the grass and out of the plant beds. Some people in neighborhoods take up the signs because they think they are unsightly. If you have neighbors who use chemicals, don't keep the signs up, and aren't willing to give you fair warning, keep track of what is going on in the neighborhood and take care with your pets. (And maybe start some gentle education about the harm these chemicals cause to our pets, our children, and our planet.) Enough said about this.

Cocoa mulch smells wonderful! And dogs love to eat it. And it is toxic. So pick another type of mulch for your plant beds and around your trees.

And speaking of cocoa, Chocolate is a common Easter treat, and VERY dangerous for your dog. Keep all chocolate out of nose and paw reach. Make sure your kids understand how truly sick your dog will get if they let it share their chocolate treats. And have the emergency pet clinic number handy just in case.

Shedding is common for a lot of dogs this time of year. It is a good idea to brush your dog every day to keep the hair from getting matted and keep your dog feeling more comfortable. Taking your dog to the groomer is a good idea during shedding season, even if you don't take your dog to a groomer on a regular basis.

A lot of dogs love to go for rides. Know for a fact that it is extremely dangerous for our dogs to hang their heads out of car windows. It makes them vulnerable to debris that can damage their eyes and potentially cause blindness. It also makes them vulnerable to any number of insects that can make them sick. CPB is extremely worried about dogs that are allowed to ride in the open bed of a pick up. The potential for injury and death is very high. Please don't let your dog ride in the open bed of a pickup. Your dog will be much happier, let alone much safer, if it gets to ride in the cab with you. And while we are on the subject, it is dangerous for you and for your dog to let your dog sit in your lap while you drive. You wouldn't drive with your baby in your lap, would you? Then please don't drive with your dog in your lap. And in your lap with it's head hanging out the window...I won't even go there!

Stay safe, keep your best furry friend safe, and enjoy this and many springs to come!

Leave it! is used every time you see something you know your dog will love, but should not put in its mouth. It is a more proactive approach than Drop it! - IF you happen to see something gross before your dog gets to it.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG TREATS DURING Leave it! TRAINING.

Doodles needs to understand that she must not eat this food. Dogs are good at assigning meanings to words on their own, so if you give your dog training treats while learning this command, she may learn that Leave it! means “wait” or “later” or some other thing her little doggie brain might come up with. Hugs and rubs and lots of verbal reinforcement will work just fine.

Step One: Put a lovely treat in the palm of your hand and show it to Doodles. When she tries to grab it, say, “Leave it!” and close your hand. Do this three or four times during one training session. That’s it. You've finished this session. Do this at least once a day. When Doodles doesn’t even think about grabbing the treat out of your hand, she is ready for the next steps.

Step Two: Have Doodles on her leash and sitting next to you. You have a great treat in one hand and her leash firmly in your other hand. Show Doodles the treat and say, “Doodles, leave it!” She knows what to do (what not to do). Now drop the treat on the floor right in front of her. When she goes for it, use the leash to stop her and say, “Leave it!” While she sits there, wanting the treat but not trying to grab it because she can’t while you hang on to the leash, tell her how wonderful she is and what a good dog she is and give her a hug. Turn her around, pick up the treat, and go through the drill again. Do this two or three times for one training session. Have at least one training session each day.

Step Three: When Doodles behaves perfectly while she is sitting next to you, you can make the training sessions a little harder by moving a few steps away from her (leash still firmly in your hand). When Doodles can be a perfect pooch at Step Three, move to Step Four.

Step Four: This step is the same as Step Three, but you make the training harder by stepping even farther away from her. When you can move as far away from her as the leash will allow, it is time to step it up another notch.

If, at any point, Doodles digresses, back up the training and work on the easy steps for a few more sessions.

Step Five: Drop your end of the leash on the floor before you take a few steps away from Doodles. Practice this for several sessions, stepping farther and farther away from Doodles and the leash each time.

Step Six: Now you are going to give her more of a challenge. Drop a treat on the floor with Doodles entirely off her leash. If she digresses when off the leash, work on Step Five a little longer.

Step Seven: When Doodles is a perfect pooch off the leash, start using much stronger temptations—her favorite toy, a peanut butter sandwich, cheese, chicken, whatever she will really, really want. You may need to back up a few steps, using greater temptations with Doodles on her leash.

When Doodles can do Step Seven perfectly, you are ready for Step Eight - Top Dog level training.

Step Eight: Instead of having Doodles sitting nicely, practice walking around with Doodles on the leash and treats scattered around on the floor. As you approach a treat, say, “Leave it!” Soon Doodles will be able to do this, too.

You will know Doodles is perfectly trained in Leave it! when you can create a pathway of incredible treats and toys, walk her down “Temptation Trail,” and she does not attempt to pick up a single thing.

You are probably thinking it will take at least a year to accomplish all these steps. Not to worry. If you work on this every day, it won’t take very long. You will be able to accomplish more than one step in a day. If you can practice several times a day, Doodles will have this trick down in no time.

When you and Doodles are out in the real world and she walks by a temptation on the sidewalk, be sure you praise her. Now she can have a treat, so give her her favorite. Give her a hug. Do everything you can to make sure she knows she is a wonderful, wonderful dog.

Copyright 2009 Katherine Kane

See more details about Leave it! and other critical commands in Training The City Dog.

Every dog should obey the Drop it! command because there is a lot of stuff out there on the ground and sidewalks that can make our dogs sick - or worse.

The key to success with teaching Drop it! is your excellent timing. At first it won't be so good, but it will improve - I promise. The training is as much for you as it is for your dog. Have two or three short training session each day. But don't try to do all steps in one day. This is going to take a while.

Step 1 Determine Droopy's favorite treat in the whole world. Whatever it is, use it for training.

Step 2 Find a toy Droopy will hold in his mouth.

You are going start by teaching Droopy that when he has something in his mouth and you say Drop it!, you will trade whatever was in his mouth for something better. Even if Droopy is the dimmest bulb in the chandelier, he'll catch on to this trick with lightening speed.

Step 3 Get Droopy's toy and play with him. When he has the toy firmly in his mouth, pass that wonderful treat in front of his nose. He'll take the treat and the toy will fall out of his mouth. Do this a few times, then go to step 4 in the same training session.

Step 4 Give Droopy his toy. Pass the treat in front of his nose. As he opens his mouth, you say Drop it! in a seriously commanding voice. He drops the toy. He gets the treat. Do this a few times a day for several days. This is when you start perfecting your timing.

Step 5 Making it harder, give Droopy a toy and say Drop it! without passing he treat in front of his nose. If he doesn't drop the toy, practice step 4 for a few more days. If he does drop the toy, tell him how wonderful he is, give him a big hug, and give him his wonderful treat. Practice this for a few days.

Step 6 When he has step 5 down, make it even harder. Give Droopy a toy, say Drop it!, and give him praise and a hug, but make him wait for the treat. Or maybe he doesn't even get a treat. Do the drill, a couple of times a day for a few days. Always praise him, but give a treat reward randomly. He's now learning to drop what is in his mouth whether he gets a treat or not.

Step 7 When he is consistently successful with step 6, it's time for the hardest step. Droopy will be asked to drop a treat he loves, but his reward will be an even better piece treat or a yummy lump of peanut butter - something outstanding. Put the something wonderful on the floor. When Droopy picks it up, say Drop it! You must be perfect with your timing. You have to say Drop it! before Droopy eats the entire training treat and there's nothing left to drop. Work on this until Droopy will drop something he loves, even without an edible reward (hugs and praise are always appropriate). You may need to back up a few steps and then work back into this step for a while, but keep practicing.

You know Droopy is perfectly trained in Drop it! when he spits out he most wonderful food in his world the instant you say Drop it! He will spit out a peanut butter sandwich. He will spit out a piece of chicken.

Keep reinforcing this command for his whole life, because some day he may need to follow it immediately without a thought to save his life.

Copyright 2009 Katherine Kane

You can find more critical commands in Training The City Dog

What is dog foster care?

Foster care is a temporary placement for dogs where they can live as pets and companions with a family until they are adopted or until their owners are able to take them back.  These pets may be:

• in a rescue or shelter
• owned by someone facing foreclosure
• owned by someone who is being deployed for military service
• owned by someone who is unable to care for their pet for some period of time for any number of reasons
• puppies needing socialization as the first step in training to be a Guide Dog or a Service Dog

Why should I consider providing foster care for a dog?

• To save a dog’s life, and socialize and train it for a permanent home, in a more personal environment than a shelter.
• To decide if dog ownership is for you, or what dog personality you want to look for when you get a dog.
• To help people who don’t want to give up their pets, but need a place for their pets to live for a while.
• To work with a puppy that will be a Guide or Service dog.

Who can be a foster parent for a dog?

The process of becoming a foster parent for a dog typically involves an assessment of the prospective foster parents and the environment they will provide their foster pet.  Before taking this step, consider:

• Is everyone in your household going to be comfortable and willing to commit to this? Will your current pets accept a new dog?
• Can you afford medical and food bills?
• How much time can you commit to your foster dog?
• Are you going to be absolutely OK with a dog that may have accidents on your carpet, chew on your furniture, and leave hair everywhere?
• Are you going to be able to say “good bye” and give this pet up when it moves on to it’s permanent home or when it’s owner is ready to take it back?

Answers to these questions honestly. The last thing you want is to acquire a pet who may have already been abandoned, and then have to give it up - one more rejection for the dog to have to absorb.

How do I find a pet to foster?

• Check with your local humane society, animal shelter, Animal Control organization.
• If you want to foster a specific breed, contact the breed rescue in your area. Go online to find the contact information.
• If you want to train a future Guide Dog or Service Dog, links to several organizations are provided on the Resources page for you to find out more information. There may be other organizations in your area. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Raisers website page is also listed on the Resources page.
• If you are interesting in fostering a pet for someone in the military who is facing deployment, there are three websites listed on the Resources page that can give you more information.

What are my responsibilities?

Every foster program will have specific policies and expectations.  Some things to look into and to consider include:

• Environment specifications such as a fenced yard or someone home all the time.
• You will have to make a commitment to providing complete and total care for this pet until the owner reclaims it or until it finds a new adoptive home.  This could be for weeks, months, or years.
• You will be responsible for the safety and care of the foster pet, including grooming, preventative medications, food and water, playtime, exercise, training and socialization.
• You will probably be involved in promoting the adoption of your foster pet and in evaluating potential adoptive parents for your foster pet.
• You may be required to assume all financial responsibility for your foster pet.
• You may need to submit regular progress/status reports to the fostering organization or the owner.
• Fostering a Guide or Service puppy has a very strict set of assessments and responsibilities you must be willing to meet. They can be found on the related websites on the Resources page.

Copyright 2010 Katherine Kane