Out with the old, in with the new; every ending is a new beginning; yadda yadda yadda. Trite New Year truisms abound and can sometimes wear on the nerves. Still, January 1 is as good a time as any to re-evaluate and revamp life with our dogs.
This issue of Bay Woof was created to help with that endeavor by presenting lots of expert advice on behavioral issues and angles. We hope it all revs your motivation to make positive changes and enjoy a year of fun and fulfillment with your canine pal.
Starting things off is Kim Moeller, offering her wise counsel about dealing with on-leash issues. Applying her recommendations could turn your walks from tense to terrific. As author of a book on the subject, Reactive Rover, and Canine Behavior Specialist at The San Francisco SPCA, she’s a bonafide pro, so take heed.
Kelly Gorman Dunbar is up next with her usual level-headed approach to improving life with our dogs. This month her column focuses on one simple idea: tossing out their food bowls. She’s not suggesting we starve our furry companions, just that we use a more creative and engaging way of providing their daily rations.
Kelly has long been a guiding light at Sirius Puppy Training, the world’s first puppy school originally founded by Ian Dunbar. He also appears in these pages, discussing the importance of puppy training and socialization. There would be far fewer dogs surrendered to shelters, he reasons, if people would take the raising of their pups more seriously. His advice is truly essential if you have recently added a puppy to your family or if you plan to add a new dog to your family in 2015.
Dogs who do very specialized service work go through incredibly rigorous training and play absolutely essential roles for their people. We invited trainer and service dog handler Colt Rosensweig to give us the full scoop on this subject. Her article will foster a whole new appreciation for the service dogs among us.
Bored dogs are not happy dogs and tend to create their own “hobbies” around the house and yard – some of which can be pretty destructive. Frequent Bay Woof contributor Bridget Murphy explains the importance of keeping our dogs engaged. Banishing boredom is another key resolution for your 2015 list.
Last but not least on the training front, we hear from SFDogDad Ian Murphy and he takes us step-by-step through the American Kennel Club’s “Canine Good Citizen” class. Turns out he had to train himself in the process of training his dog Phoenix to meet the challenge.
This issue also includes veterinarian Erika Beck’s tips for avoiding winter ailments, an announcement about the first annual San Francisco Aid for Animals “Making a Change Awards” recipients, and Paul Mann’s musings on the cause and cure of loneliness in our pets.
The 2015 Beast of the Bay Awards process is in full swing. It’s our annual readers poll of great dog-centric folks and festivities in the Bay Area. Go to to our ballot and spend a few minutes voting for your faves.
The theme of our February issue this year is Dog Love in Action. St. Valentine would approve. Look for it on the stands in late January. Until then, we wish you and your dogs sweet winter dreams!
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