Now the news…..
Over at Pawcurious, Dr. V wrote a nice series of articles on dental health this week. It starts with how to perform a visual inspection yourself and continues with dental care at home. Dental care for dogs and cats is getting a lot of attention lately, and it’s a good thing. Very useful stuff from a great vet!
I’m a huge fan of Animal Behavior Associates. Dr. Hetts and Dr. Estep are experienced professionals and they publish some of the best behavior information you can find online. I’m a happy member of their Behavior Education Network. Here’s a great blog post from Dr. Hetts on how to have a better behaved pet.
Looking for a way to combine your love of your pets with saving the earth? Sponsor a memorial tree for your pet, or give it to someone as a gift. This is a very worthy cause that is helping replenish trees in our national forests.
Despite the cold and record snows, it’s time to start planning travel. Dog Jaunt has a great list of dog-friendly places ready for you, based on reader feedback. Pop in and tell everyone about your favorite spots.
If you are in my neck of the woods, GoPetFriendly.com has put together a guide on Northward Hound’s Escapes from New York. (No eye patch or life sentence required.)
Last, great news on the puppy mill front from Dancing Dog Blog. West Hollywood has banned sales of puppies and kittens! Can I get a “woo-hoo?”
Update: I just got word of a great contest that wraps up next week: Do you know of a dog that has changed someone’s life?













How can I stop my dog from digging up my yard?
Instead of Fighting the Instinct to Dig, Harness It!
One of the most effective ways to deal with instinctual dog behavior like digging is to give a dog a way to do it that is not disruptive. My favorite is to set up a “digging pit” somewhere and then convince the dog that digging there is more rewarding than around the petunias.
Either purchase a sandbox or dig a hole and fill it with sand. (Sand is a lot easier to clean up than soil.) If you decide to go with a hole, it may be helpful to line it with plastic sheeting. Then, hide some toys in the sand and show your dog his new place to dig!
Start out making the hidden goodies easy to find and then work your way up to making it more and more difficult. Make it a game, and be sure to spend some time with your dog. Which is a nice segway to the next point…..
Idle Paws are the Devil’s Digger!
In detective fiction we frequently read or hear about “motive and opportunity.” We covered motive for digging, now you need to deal with the opportunity! Are you leaving a “known offender” alone in your yard? Leaving your dog alone outside is not a good idea for a lot of reasons, but leaving a bonafide digger alone is just asking for it.
Left to their own devices, dogs may not choose the recreation activities we would prefer. Trying playing with your dog instead of leaving him alone. Trying using toys and games to exercise his mind and redirect his desire to dig.
Training Can Help
Even when you are with your dog, his eyes may wander over to those petunias. This is a prime opportunity to train him to leave things alone on cue. That, along with some work on impulse control, will make it easier to redirect your dog’s attention to more productive pursuits.
Digging can be a big nuisance, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. Try these steps and remember: enjoy your time with your dog. That why’s you got him!