Rollerblading with your dog can be a fun and challenging experience for both you and your furry companion.

This activity is best done by an experienced rollerblader. Naturally, the more experienced a blader you are, the more “active” of a dog you’ll be able to handle. You may even be able to progress to blading with two dogs once you get good enough with one.

The best lead to use when rollerblading with your dog is the Flexi-type, retractable lead. Because it won’t drag on the ground, it eliminates the risk of you or your dog tripping on it.

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When I saw this story on The Poodle (and Dog) Blog, I knew that I had to post about it too. Operation Baghdad Pups is trying to bring home animals found in the war zone. What a wonderful thing to do for the animals, and the human heroes who find them and nurse them back to health. Being in war would be heart wrenching enough without the added heartache of having to leave an animal buddy behind in such dangerous conditions.

Please consider spreading the word about this cause, and if possible, adding some funds to help bring these animals back to the states and into loving homes.

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A dog, by nature, is a pack animal. It has to be trained to be by itself and just be relaxed about that. It’s not natural for a dog to be alone for longer periods of time, as is the case with cats. Usually when you start with a young puppy you increase this time alone with 5 minutes only so you’re training it for success (not failure so don’t run off for a whole hour the first time your pup is alone).

Dogs were meant to forage for their daily meal. Hunting is both physically and mentally challenging. Eating meat off bones also keeps their teeth clean. As our companion dogs usually don’t have to work (really work!) for their food, they tend to get bored and inactive. This can also result in behavioral issues such as excessive barking and destructive chewing or separation anxiety.

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