heatherwitt.com blog

It seems all too common these days to hear stories about dog-on-dog (sometimes dogs-on-dog) attacks leaving someone’s beloved pet perminantly injured, handicapped, oftentimes dead. The Town of Trumbull unanimously passed “Gracie’s Law” in October 2005 in response to a deadly pitbull attack on the Jositas family collie while she was walking her dog down the street. The law strengthens the town’s codes on [...]

To ease the transition of a puppy into its new home, try these little tricks:
1. Take a shirt or towel out of the laundry hamper and send it to your new baby before you bring her home. This will make your scent familiar to her when she comes home to you.
2. Bring a clean towel, [...]

If you don’t like the excitement level of your dog then STOP. If you open that door, or clip on that leash, put down that dinner dish, or throw that ball, then you have reinforced the behavior you are seeing at the moment of reward.
Some dogs jump around when you prepare for the walk, and [...]

 
Maple and I achieved the 2007 Top Leo obedience award (2nd Place). That means only one other Leonberger who is a memeber of the Leonberger Club of America (the parent club for the LCA is the AKC), accumulated more points. It’s been so much fun competing Maple in Obedience. We plan on continuing, with two [...]

   We took our family to Harrisburg, PA in September (kids and Dad to Hershey Park and Maple and me to the Pennsylvania Dutch Fall Leo Specialty). With Maple’s third 1st Place finish, she and I have received our CD (Companion Dog Obedience Title). The requirements for this competition are: Heeling (on and off leash, plus Healing Figure 8), Off Leash [...]