Dogs and cats are expected to not like each other. In fact, they are supposed to hate each other. After all, that is where the phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” came from right?

Contrary to that popular belief, dogs and cats can coexist peacefully under the same roof. You just have to find the right kind of breed that is open to having feline friends. Who knows, they could end up being the best of friends!

Here are 7 dog breeds that won’t have a problem being with cats at home:

1. Beagle

Beagles have a happy-go-lucky disposition that makes them a pleasant pet to live with. They are curious by nature that they will howl at anything they see.

These are fuss-free dogs who like being with other animals. That means that they would likely to see cats as just another member of the family.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are friendly in nature and that makes them great service dogs. This means that they are patient with any situation they are in and easy to train.

They have an easy-going disposition and are highly adaptable to new living companions including cats. They’re playful but gentle which assures you they will not play overly rough with your cute little kitty.

Golden retrievers are good family dogs even if that family includes cats.

3. Labrador

Labs are the gentle giants of the dog kingdom. They are known for their tenderness among kids which also applies to cats.

They are very tolerant and would not mind cats snuggling up to them from time to time. They might not look like it, but they can be one of the best companions for your cat!

4. Boxer

If you prefer a more muscular dog that can deal well with your feline friends well, then boxers may be a good option for you. This breed can be a good guard dog that can look after the whole family, including its feline members.

Boxers love to play and that sometimes may be annoying to cats. Even if they are not the most popular amongst felines, they are incredibly fun-loving and would happily play with your cat.

5. Maltese

This is one of the smallest dog breeds that are greatly affectionate to cats and costs around $400 to $1300. This type of dog simply likes to lie around on its bed while being oblivious to everything around it.

What makes it a good companion for cats is the fact that it will most likely ignore everybody. This breed is the best option for new paw parents as they have a reputation for being small lap dogs.

Maltese can be trained to not chase after cats and are generally gentle mannered.

6. Bichon Frise

This breed is well known for being happy-go-lucky and social.

The Bichon Frise is a small dog that would see cats as playmates though caution should be taken if you have an overly laid-back cat. It might get overly excited and get too playful when your cat just wants to be left alone.

Now, that might cause an issue between the two. If you have a playful cat, then this breed might be its best pair to keep each other company when you are out and about.

7. Bulldog

If there is one thing that cats and Bulldogs both love doing, that would be naps. They can even take long naps together!

If your cat likes being cuddled up, then a bulldog may be the best dog to do it with. They love to play with members of the family including cats. They sure are pure bundles of joy!

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Certain breed groups just get along well with cats as compared to others. Generally speaking, Toy Groups are more affectionate and are bred to become companions.

The sporting group dogs are happy-go-lucky and outgoing dogs that can be friends with almost everybody. Herding group has the strongest instinct to herd anything; including their pups and even cats.

Great caution should be taken when letting your cats mingle with dogs. These are only generalizations and would still depend on the temperament of your pets.

Most dogs can coexist with cats if they have been introduced to the idea of having kitties around since they were pups. If it is their first time to meet each other, do not leave them unsupervised.

Choosing the right breed and ensuring that you train both your cat and dog to peacefully coexist is the key to having a harmonious cat-dog relationship.

First off I want to say the best place your dog can sleep during the winter is in the house.   Now let’s talk about what you can do to take care of your dog if they are going to spend any time in the cold/snow.

That being said, if your dog is an outside dog or will spend a lot of time outside and has a double coat this winter, gets them out early so they can develop their winter coat in preparation.  Outside dogs also burn more calories, so you will want to give your dog extra food.

If your dog is going to be outside a lot, make sure that they have some shelter, a good effective way to help keep them warm is to put a bed in the dog house or add fresh straw for a bed *Not Hay*

It is important that you take some extra care during the winter; dogs require extra attention when exposed.  Never shave your dog during the winter months, keep the fur long and thick, and when you bathe him make sure they are completely dry before going outside.

Leave water outside for your dog, and make sure that it does not freeze. Your dog needs lots of regular, cool water to drink.  If you can’t change your dog’s water dish to keep it from freezing, then you may want to buy a heated water dish at your favourite pet store.

If your dog is small, doesn’t have hair or doesn’t have a thick coat your dog is going to get cold faster than dogs with thick, double coats.  If your dog gets cold easily, you could go and buy a sweater and/or some booties for him. Check them out at your favourite pet store.

When you and your pup are finished playing in the snow, check his or her paws, there may be snowballs stuck between their toes, especially if their foot hair is long.  You will also want to check for build-up on your dog’s ears, tail, and belly.  Little balls of very hard; icy snow and they can stick to the hair on your dog. This can be very cold and very painful.

To prevent paw snowballs, have your local groomer trim the hair on your dog’s feet and between the toes. All snowballs can be removed by using a warm washcloth to melt the snow.

If your dog walks on salty sidewalks or streets, be sure to rinse the salt off the bottom of his feet when you get home.  After a few walks on the salty sidewalks you may notice that your pups pads are starting to dry out and crack.  Help them out by putting a tiny bit of Vaseline on their pads to moisturize and prevent the cracking and the pain that follows.

Spring Concerns for Dogs

• Spring is a buggy season – many things bloom in the spring, including insect life. Fleas, ticks, and heart worm disease can all begin plaguing the dog population in the spring. If you spend a lot of time outside with your dog, particularly in wooded areas, you have got to start thinking about this issue. Your vet can provide more details about when to begin preventative measures.
• New plant life blooms – bugs aren’t the only living things to make an appearance during the spring months, many trees and plants are in bloom as well. After a winter of nothing but snow to snack on while out on a walk, these plants can bring new temptations. Discourage your dog from consuming these items, and familiarize yourself with items that can be poisonous or harmful to your pets.  Sticks that surface as the snow melts can also pose an additional choking hazard. These dry up and splinter, and can lodge in a dog’s throat if they are playing with or chewing on them.
• Animals are out for the first time – even pet owners find themselves spending more time inside during the cold, snowy winter months. Of course, exercising their pets is probably still on their winter agenda, but big outings may not be as frequent. This means that come spring, you’ll find more people out in provincial parks, hiking trails, dog parks, and other public pet-friendly areas. This is the time to be more cautious around strange dogs, as their excitement level is high, and their socialization skills may have declined. For the safety of yourself and your own animals, proceed with caution and ensure that you communicate with other pet owners before making contact.
• Your own yard may be hazardous – things can change over the winter, particularly when there is thawing and freezing occurring. This could mean that structures in your backyard could have changed, including fences and decks. Inspect all areas of your yard for hazards, like loose boards and nails. Also verify that there are no new gaps in your fence that could allow your dog to escape.

The changing seasons bring a number of concerns for pet owners, and they can extend far beyond those mentioned above. Share your essential tips for ensuring that your pets are healthy and happy – like these dogs that just can’t handle spring!

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Why Don’t Animals Make Good Gifts?

• Personalities must mesh – adding an animal to your household is like introducing a new family member. They will live in that household, interact with humans of all sizes, and find playmates in other family pets. Of course, adopting a dog or cat is not on the same level as introducing an adopted child into your world, but it is still a big decision. As a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend, you wouldn’t go out select and adopt a baby without bringing the prospective new parents out with you to make the decision. So why would you think it is appropriate with an animal? It is still important that all members of the household connect and feel comfortable with the pet. A good match better guarantees a forever home.

• Having an animal is a big responsibility – regardless of the type of animal you are hoping to give as a gift, there is responsibility involved. And you, as the gift giver, would not play any role in that process, so is it fair to stick that on someone else without their input? On a daily basis, any pet needs to be fed, walked/let outside, have its litter box cleaned, or exercised/played with in another way. Plus, having additional animals in the house does create more mess, which translates to an increase in general housework. Even a few more minutes of chores per day adds up, especially for those with children and/or jobs outside the home. Having pets can demand a big lifestyle change, and only pet owners are in a position to choose to sacrifice. On top of that, animals cost money. Day-to-day the costs of food and basic care are relatively low, but those costs can sky rocket if more extensive vet care is needed. Pet owners need to be comfortable enough to deal with large, unexpected costs if needed. Let’s be realistic, only members of the immediate household will be aware of a family’s financial situation and their ability to take on additional costs.

• Breed preferences – with so many animals to choose from, it is important to remember that every individual has their own preferences when it comes to animal breeds. Size, colour, temperament, impact on allergies, genetic history, and much more are all things to be considered when choosing a pet. It is hard enough for every member of a household to agree on something to suit them all in most cases. As a gift giver from outside of the home, remember that your preferences are not necessarily the same as theirs.

• Long-term family goals – a family that adopts a kitten could have that animal for up to approximately 20 years, while a puppy may be around for just shy of that. Just because you’ve heard a loved one coo over an adorable, fluffy creature today, doesn’t mean that animal will fit into their life plans a couple of years down the road.

While certainly finding a pet on Christmas morning will make just about any child’s eyes light up (especially if it is a Santa wish come true), it is not fair to the new owners or the animal. If the pet is unwanted, it is increasingly likely that it will fail to have all its needs met, and could even be at risk if it ends up back at an animal shelter.

If you feel strongly about getting a pet for a loved one, let the family make the decision IF they are prepared to get an animal, and you can foot the bill. Or, give back to the animal community by donating your time or supplies to local animal shelters, and bring the animal lovers in your life along for the journey!

Giving Back To Animals This Christmas In Nova Scotia

Looking for an animal shelter to give back to this holiday season? Here are a few options, but please stay tuned for more details on this in a future article as well.

1. Maritime Animal Rescue
2. Provincial Animal Shelter
3. Nova Scotia SPCA

(image credit)

If you are thinking about traveling with a pet this holiday season, here is some basic information that every animal lover needs to know.

• Crossing the border  – there was a time when crossing the border between the US and Canada required quarantine. Today, if you aren’t one of the countries on the rabies-free list, you simply need to have proof that your dog is up to date on all required vaccinations. Contact information for a vet should also be included. This is just a precaution in case customs officers need to confirm that you are presenting them with legitimate vaccination history.

• Airplane transport – Dogs are allowed to ride in the main passenger cabin of an airplane, provided that owners abide by specific guidelines.  For example, the dog and approved carrier combined cannot way more than 100 lbs; although all guidelines do vary by airline. Of course, like all carry-on there is also a size/dimension limit. This is because your smaller dog must but safely stowed under the seat for takeoff and landing for safety reasons. You should also be aware that most airlines won’t put anymore than 4-6 dogs on any given flight, and a passenger is only allowed to travel with one pet of any denomination. If you have a larger dog, or there is no more room in the cabin of the airplane, your dog can travel in the cargo hold.

• Cargo hold transport – if your dog is going to be traveling in the cargo hold of the airplane, it is important that they are given sufficient time to eat and drink before their journey to prevent discomfort or dehydration. But after that four hour period, only limited amounts of water should be provided to avoid mess. Food and drink can also spill if transported with the dog, and should be left out of the crate. Also be aware that the cargo hold of a plane is not typically climate controlled, so it follows extreme weather trends. So much so that at certain times of year some airlines will not allow dogs to be transported this way at all. Follow this link for more information on WestJet’s pet policy.

• Make sure your dog is easily identifiable – baggage tags on your dog’s crate have the potential to become detached and go missing. Having your dog micro chipped ensures that once found, someone will be able to contact you (the owners). You can also consider embroidering a collar or having a traditional dog tag applied. In any case, the more identification the better!

• Talk to your vet – is there any reason that your vet thinks that your dog shouldn’t fly? If your dog is likely to be over-anxious on the plane this is also a good reason to ask about calming supplements or medication.

There is plenty more to learn about traveling with a pet on an airplane, even at the most basic level. So share your stories about pet travel. Bonus points if your story takes place during the holidays, and on an airplane!

Image via: Flickr Creative Commons (mikecogh)

Before we brought home our first puppy we read several books about how to train puppies.  We wanted to learn as much as we could about puppies before diving into puppy ownership.  Now over 8 years later we continue to read books about puppies and dog training.

We rescued Linus from the shelter, fostered dozens of puppies and dogs, raised 4 guide dog puppies, and puppy sat countless dogs and puppies.  Maybe we’re not experts, but we do think we know a little more than the average bear.

We get hundreds of questions every month about puppies, dogs, and training.  Over the years we’ve kept the answers in the comment section, but starting this year (2013) we’re going to highlight questions and answer it right here on the blog!  Our hope is to build a resource section and help answer some of the most common puppy training questions.

So without further adieu…

How Can I Get My Dog To Stop Peeing In Her Crate?

Dublin didn’t have any potty problems during crate training

We hear this question several times a month in it’s different variations.  Maybe your dog is peeing in her crate or maybe your dog is pooping in her crate either way your question is probably what can I do to get my dog to stop having accidents in her crate.

The original crate training question we received this week is below:

Question

“Hi I am crate training my 9 week boxer puppy. She is peeing and pooing in the crate overnight and then whines to be let out. what should I do if she doesn’t cry when she has to go?”

Answer:

You have to remember that a puppy as young as yours (around 9 weeks of age) probably does not yet have full control of her bladder.  She may not always know when she has to potty, but there are some things you can do in your situation.

Your goal is to not allow your puppy to potty in the crate anymore.  At some point in time she learned that it was okay to potty in the crate.  If she’s having accidents in the crate during the day and at night you need to make sure you reduce the amount of time she spends in the crate and over time incrementally extend the amount of time she spends in her crate.

Lets start off by speculating as to why your puppy is peeing/pooping in her crate.  There could be several reasons why a puppy has an accident while in crate:

• Crate size is too big.  If you’re crate is too big then your puppy will often times use one side to potty (her bathroom) and the other side to sleep (her bedroom).  A crate should only be large enough for your puppy to stand up and turn around any bigger than that an you might have a few potty accidents.
• Before you brought home your puppy she learned to potty in her crate.  In general puppies will not potty where they sleep, but there could be reasons why your puppy learned to do this before you brought her home.  If you bought from a pet store (please don’t buy from pet stores as the majority of these puppies come from puppy mills) your puppy probably learned to potty where she sleeps.  The same could be true if you purchased from an irresponsible breeder.  Responsible breeders will often times start potty training their pups before they go home with their new families.  If you adopted your puppy may have learned to potty in there kennel or other sleeping area.  You never really know, but sometime in her past she may have learned to potty in her crate.
• She has a bladder infection or some kind of health issue.  A trip to the veterinarian may be in order.  You might want to consider this as an option if your puppy is having unusual potty accidents.

Basic Crate And Potty Training

Make sure you read through these two articles:

• How To Potty Train A Puppy
• Crate Training Puppies

Since your puppy is peeing/pooping in the crate overnight without any whining to alert you then you should consider setting your alarm clock 2-3 times spread out through the night, wake up, take your puppy to her potty spot, have her potty, then take her right back to bed.

Another thing you should do to help avoid future puppy potty accidents in crate is thoroughly wash your crate using an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle (aff link).  Puppies like to potty in the same place where they went before.  If she can smell the urine in the crate then she might go there again.  Moving forward, anytime she has an accident make sure you thoroughly clean the crate again.

If you’re putting blankets or towels in the crate I would consider removing these.  Puppies usually like going potty on soft surfaces as opposed to hard surfaces.

As mentioned earlier make sure you have the right size crate.  If you bought a large crate to allow your puppy to grow into it I would either purchase a smaller, proper sized crate or use a divider to make the crate the correct size.

Keep your puppy on a consistent feeding schedule.  Try to make sure you feed your puppy at the same times every day.  You’ll notice a consistent feeding schedule = a consistent potty schedule.

You should start keeping a daily puppy potty schedule to keep track of every time your puppy pees, poops, eats, and drinks water.  You’ll notice that your puppy is very predictable as to when she potties in relation to the times she eats, drinks, plays, etc.

Make sure you feed your puppy at least a couple hours before you put her to bed for the night.

Make sure you take your puppy out to potty (and make sure she goes) right before you put her in her crate for the night.

Talk To Your Veterinarian And Local Dog Trainer

It’s always a good idea to speak with your local professionals.  If you don’t already have a local veterinarian or dog trainer then you should start doing some research to find some good ones in your area.  Having a good vet and trainer will be a great resource for you and your dog today and in the future.

You should also consider enrolling in a puppy kindergarten which will give you a chance to socialize your puppy, learn basic obedience, and have a professional dog trainer to ask questions.  Not only that, but you’ll find that you may be experiencing similar frustrations with your puppy as others in the group.  It always feels better when you realize that you are not the only one experiencing these puppy training and behavior problems

I hope this helps to answer your puppy training question.

What about everyone else out there?  Have you had any problems with your crate training?  Did your puppy used to potty in her crate?  If so, tell us what you did to solve the problem.

Post from: Puppy Training

How Can I Get My Dog To Stop Peeing In Her Crate?

Source: Puppy in Training

I thought about the book and the test recently, and it raised some issues for me, including how we value animals (and why we feel the need to rank animal intelligence), and how my own view has changed toward dogs and myself as a dog mom.

Soon after I bought the book, I tackled the pages and put my pooch to the test, wondering whether I had either a canine Einstein or maybe just a smarter-than-average dog sharing my life. Miller designed the IQ test as a yardstick for measuring the intelligence of the domestic dog population in general.

In the process, I learned a bit about myself and my attitude as a dog mom. It was during this period I stopped calling myself a “dog owner” and progressed into “dog mom.”

Miller writes, “The test is meant to be accurate, but above all, entertaining and amusing to take.” Your dog is given a series of things to do. You, as the dog mom or dad, assess and score based on the provided system.

The layers of testing

The markers to asses dog intelligence are pretty much in line with human IQ tests. The areas include memory (such as what your dog does when you reach for the leash), vocabulary (I always wondered how many words my dog knew — it turns out more than 100), verbal apprehension (such as coming when called), perception (detecting the mood of the human parent), and spatial ability (judging distance and speed when tossed a ball or toy).

Some of the test questions made me laugh out loud. One was, “How do you think your dog would spend its free time if it [were] human?” We’re given an assortment of choices — organizing events, eating out, and watching television are among them. Portions of the test are highly subjective, to be sure.

The test provides different points for each answer. At the end of the test, you add up the points — you’ve got a number, and your dog has an intelligence quotient.

How my Brandy scored

In researching this story, I found Brandy’s old veterinary records. I have no idea why I kept them, but perhaps a piece of her still remains. To be honest, I couldn’t find my old copy of The Dog IQ Test, but I did find her score filed with the vet records. When we took the test in 1996, she was 3 years old; it seems like a lifetime ago. She scored in the upper quotient of intelligence.

The book also tests the IQ of the dog owner. Categories for owners include “doting,” “congenial,” “sensible,” and “demanding.” The author then recommends breeds depending on owner temperament. I was “sensible” and “doting,” so no surprise there.

So, why am I talking about a book I read 17 years ago? When I found Brandy’s score, I thought about purchasing it again so I could test my dog, Dexter. Then I realized I already know all I need to know about him, and I would prefer not to assign a number or a label to my pooch.

There are no dumb dogs

This brings me to the idea of “dumb dogs.” It irks me to no end when I hear someone say, “That’s a dumb dog.” Today, I feel more adept at how to respond to such a statement. After all, I’ve evolved since I read the book, too. I know better, so I do better, as Oprah says.

Here are a few snappy comebacks I highly recommend when “That’s a dumb dog” gets tossed within earshot:

“Did your dog take the IQ test, and have you proven that?”

“They said the same thing about Lassie, and look how far she got.”

And my personal favorite: “No such thing as dumb dogs, only dumb people!”

Of course, some people simply do not deserve a response.

Would you ever test your dog’s IQ? Where do you think your dog would rank? Does it even matter? Does the idea of a dog IQ test make you mad? Let me know in the comments!

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And I was right.

But I also didn’t see the whole picture. Traveling with my dog hasn’t just been wonderful because of snuggles and companionship. It has also been wonderful for a few reasons that I never expected.

1. Traveling with a dog makes me feel safe

As a woman traveling alone, having a dog along (even a pint-sized one) makes me feel secure. This is especially true when I rent apartments, which I often do, because on the off chance that someone did try to break in, I know that Luna would alert me. She’s not a day-to-day barker, but when someone new is coming up the stairs, you better believe she makes herself heard.

Even more unexpected, I feel safer having her with me as I’m exploring the sites of a new city. Because it seems much less likely that pickpockets or scam artists would target what appears to be a local out walking her dog, not only because a local probably isn’t carrying her valuables around with her on her walk, but also because a dog might bark or bite.

Which brings me to the second unexpected benefit of traveling with my dog …

2. Traveling with a dog makes me look and feel like a local

When I’m out with Luna, I can’t help but make friends. The little old ladies on the Paris Metro pick her up and kiss her face. The other little old ladies waiting for the bus in Belgium ask her name and coo at her. Tourists constantly stop and ask me for directions, which I frequently can’t help with, and then, when they realize I’m not a local, want to know the whole story — how is it that I have my fuzzy little best friend along for the ride?

Having a dog with me, I’m immediately seen as someone who belongs, a local, a contributor to the city’s culture and economy. I’m seen as friendly and approachable. I’m seen as someone who wants to be part of the city — not just snap a few shots and be on her way.

Even better, though, I also feel like a local. Whether I’m walking Luna through Paris or Perugia, Italy, I feel grounded. I feel like I belong. I feel like we’re part of the story, part of the landscape — not just observers. Luna, like magic, makes every landscape feel like home.

Which brings me to my third unexpected benefit.

3. Traveling with a dog forces me to keep a routine and eliminate jet lag

When I arrive in Paris or Rome or Edinburgh after a long flight, I’m exhausted. And I find jet lag hard to deal with — there’s no hopping up the next morning ready to take on the world. Oh, no; that’s not me.

But now that I travel with a dog, I’m compelled to get up, to have a routine, and to see the city I’ve traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to see.

How does my dog accomplish all that? By needing daily walks and twice-daily feedings, by waking me up if I try to oversleep, and by forcing me to walk outside and remember that I’m in Tuscany or the Black Forest or the Alps. And as soon as I walk those few blocks to the dog park, I remember how new and interesting and different of a place I’m in, and I’m motivated to explore some more.

In summary: Traveling with my dog has brought me unending joy. Recently, someone asked me who my best travel buddy has been over the years. After all, I’ve been to more than 25 countries on six continents. I’ve traveled with friends, family, strangers, and often by myself. I think they thought I’d go on a rant about what makes a great travel buddy.

Instead, I smiled and answered without hesitation: my dog. Hands down. Absolutely. No question: my dog.

Gigi Griffis is a writer and humorist with a penchant for snuggly puppies, new places, and Italian cooking. In May 2012, she sold her stuff and took to the road with a growing business and a pint-sized pooch. You can read all about her adventures on her travel blog, and she’d love to be friends on Facebook. 

Have you traveled with your dog? What unexpected joys and benefits have you found? What surprises you most about being a dog owner in a foreign city?

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Just in case you’re joining us late we started working on Linus’ dog leash aggression at the beginning of the month and posted our goals and first week results here:

• Solve Your Dog Leash Aggression Problems In 30 Days
• Solving Linus’ Dog Leash Aggression Problems In 30 Days – Week #1

So how did our week go?  Did the Thundershirt help with Linus’ leash aggression?

Does The Thundershirt Really Work With Dog Leash Aggression?

Linus wearing his Thundershirt next to his pal Stetson.

Last week we did a day-by-day journal, but I wasn’t too keen on that kind of post and found that it got a little bit wordy and repetitive.  This time around I’m just going to give you the updates on how we progressed or regressed with Linus.

We actually made 3 changes in this weeks walking routines:

1. As we mentioned earlier Linus wore his Thundershirt (aff link) on all walks this week.
2. Instead of walking both Linus and Stetson I took Linus out on his own.
3. I did not use Linus’ head collar on his walks and just attached the leash to his regular flat collar.

First of all we did a great job keeping up with my 30 day challenge of walking the dogs 30 minutes every day this past week.  The problem was the time we went for our walks.  5 out of 7 days this past week we didn’t get out until after 10pm and therefore encountered very few dogs on our walks.

Here’s what I observed on our walks:

• Linus did a great job focusing on me and his walk rather than the other dogs we saw while out and about.  GOOD BOY!
• Linus didn’t chase any squirrels, rabbits, or ducks, but then again I don’t think we saw any either.  GOOD BOY!
• Linus seemed a little more stressed on our walks this past week.  That’s unusual considering he was wearing his Thundershirt, but I wonder if it has to do with one of the other changes specifically walking on his own rather than with his pal Stetson.  I may have to test that theory out next week.
• Linus was at the front door with my gf and started barking, lunging, and whining at the neighbors dogs.  Major regression!  This is another problem that needs to be addressed.

Overall it was an uneventful week mainly because I didn’t get Linus out during the daytime.  There were mixed results with the Thundershirt (aff link), but we’ll continue to use it on Linus’ walk…if anything it probably keeps him a little bit warmer during this cold spell.  So I guess the answer to our original question: Does The Thundershirt Solve Dog Leash Aggression Problems?MAYBE…we need more data for a more conclusive answer.

I’m going to try a few different things on our walks next week.  I’m going to alternate bringing Stetson out on our walks.  When I walk both boys I have to use the head collars because when Linus decides to chase a squirrel Stetson follows and I get dragged along for the ride.  I also plan on introducing a no-pull harness to see if I like that better than the head collar.

That’s about it for week #2 of Linus and his adventures in dog leash aggression training.  Not too much progress this week, but hopefully we’ll improve by leaps and bounds in week #3!

So how about you guys?  Any progress in your dog leash aggression training?  Tell us about it in the comment section below.

Post from: Puppy Training

Does The Thundershirt Solve Dog Leash Aggression Problems?