Commentary
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Why You Don’t Want Purebred Dogs in Rare Colors
In many cases, colors in purebred dogs are rare for very good reasons, such as that they bring with them serious health issues for the dog.
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We Need to #GetTough on Dog Fighting — Here’s How
National Dog Fighting Awareness Day is Saturday, April 8. The ASPCA shares how we can help put an end to these horrific crimes, on this day and throughout the year.
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Commentary: Why By-Products in Dog Food Aren’t Always a Bad Thing
By-products, such as liver and other animal parts, in pet food get a bad rap that isn't always deserved.
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Why IBM’s Dog-Training and Pet-Sitting Drone Is a Horrible Idea
This is wrong on so many levels, but most concerning are the potential for malfunction and how it would weaken the bond between people and their pets.
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Hey, You! Walking the Dog! Get Off Your Smartphone!
Smartphones and dog walking don't mix. Here are five very good reasons why.
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Dog-Mom Shaming Is Real, and It’s Ridiculous
Fellow dog moms have opinions, and some are not shy in sharing them in a "shame on you" way.
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Let’s Stop Shaming People Who Don’t Take in a Dead Relative’s Pets
Does your criticism help the dog? Do you know that you would never do the same? Let's talk about the realities of these types of situations.
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You Let Your Dog Walk Off Leash in the City? What Are You Thinking?!
I regularly see people unleash their dogs to walk free on New York City sidewalks. It's dangerous and against the law!
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Why a Dog Body Language Expert Needs to Watch the Full Footage From the “A Dog’s Purpose” Scene
Writer W. Bruce Cameron and producer Gavin Polone have seen the footage and commented, but they are not experts in veterinary behavior or dog body language.
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Save Lives by Learning More About Dog Behavior and by Reporting Roaming Dogs
Two dogs attacked children walking to school this week. One child died, and the other is seriously injured. Here's how we can prevent incidents like this in the future.
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The Movie “Petfooled” Changed the Way I Buy Dog Food — and It Should for You, Too
Similar to how "The Omnivore’s Dilemma" and "Fast Food Nation" impacted my eating habits, Petfooled shined a light on the commercial foods available to my dogs.
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Why I Believe In an Open Adoption — Not the Perfection Some Dog Rescue Groups Require
"Open" adoption requires only consultation and approval from a shelter or rescue counselor, and I believe it is the way to become a no-kill nation.
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Are There Appropriate Uses for a Muzzle? I Believe So
Let's talk about muzzles. Some pet parents would never consider using one, but there are times and places where one could help keep your dog and others safe.
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How I Deal With the Ignorance, Intolerance, and Fear I Face as the Pet Parent of Pit Bull
From the local hardware store to the vet's office, I regularly deal with people who assume the worst about my sweet Axle because of a dog breed stereotype.
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Why I Don’t Believe In Trying to Adopt Out “Bonded Pairs”
Isn't it better to break up these so-called pairs to improve their chances of adoption? Dogs are resilient creatures who can form new bonds.
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Instead of Banning Pit Bulls, Montreal Should Follow Calgary’s Lead
Breed-specific legislation doesn't work, and it has dire consequences for the dogs and animal-welfare organizations. Calgary has found a policy that works.
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Commentary: Why Obedience Training Isn’t Good for the Human-Dog Relationship
At Canine Assistants service dog school, we switched to a social learning model that uses bond-building exercises.
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Why Garmin’s New Smartphone-Controlled Shock Collar Is a Bad Idea
Shock collars already can cause physical and psychological harm to dogs, and now Garmin has added control via smartphone. We list the many ways this can go horribly wrong.
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Why This Pet Parent Is Thrilled That Silent Fireworks Are a Reality
When a holiday brings with it fireworks, my rescue dog Grant turns into a quivering, terrified mess. I'm all for silent fireworks and wish we used them in our area.
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Why We at the HSUS Want Upgraded Care Requirements for Dog Breeders
The USDA's requirements for commercial dog breeders are not enough. We want a ban of harmful wire flooring and for breeding dogs to get daily exercise and positive human interaction, among other changes. Sign our petition!
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Why We at the San Francisco SPCA Condemn the Use of Prong Collars
We do not use the unsafe and inhumane prong collar, and we plan to ban the collars by visitors to our campuses.
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Why I Don’t Use a Crate When Training Dogs
In my 38 years as a professional trainer, I have never used a crate. Here's why.
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Breed-Specific Laws Make Housing Most Difficult for the Poor
New York State Assemblyman Ken Debrowski hopes to change that in his state by ending breed-specific housing guidelines.
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Why Everyone Who Cares About Dogs Should See “The Dog Lover”
It has a clear bias toward commercial-scale breeders, and that's why breeders and rescuers alike should watch the movie and use it as a discussion starter.
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Why I Sometimes Recommend That a Dog NOT Get a Vaccination
I would rather focus on a dog's whole health than a one-size-fits-all vaccination schedule. Here's why.
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Shouldn’t a Humane Society Actually Be Humane In Its Training Practices?
I recently visited a humane society that uses prong/pinch collars and choke chains on its dogs -- that's far from humane.
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This Command Could Save Your Dog’s Life: Come!
On a recent walk with my dogs, an off-leash pup reminded me that perfect recall can be the difference between life and death.
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Pet Parents in the U.K. Get Time Off After Adopting a Pet
Mars Petcare and other employers in the U.K. offer peternity leave. Will that ever happen here? I hope so, but doubt it.
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Good for the Brits: Microchipping of Dogs Is Now Required by Law
All dogs 8 weeks and older must have an identity microchip. If not, their owners face a hefty fine. We should consider following the U.K.'s example.
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Dear Lily Tomlin: Helping PETA Doesn’t Actually Help Animals
Lily Tomlin's revival of Ernestine the Operator for a PETA video may be funny, but PETA is still built on exploiting humans and animals alike.
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