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Please feel free to contact me with suggestions for links or comments on any listed below:




       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp99sCNGqms

           http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/quiz/how-fluent-are-you-in-dog-speak#content





  • The training lead - a great tool! Also see proofing your dog (so that your training carries over when there are more challenges/distractions). 




  • https://www.facebook.com/collarsbyriley A Facebook friend posted this link on her page. I want to get one of these collars for Frida. I think they're about $35, all custom made and there is a waiting list! One of a kind, hand carved and painted collars.


  • Forget the old-school dominance/alpha theory when relating to your dog!
http://caninecampus.wpengine.com/?page_id=101

        Ways of preventing . . .  I have used apple cider vinegar, but this year I am thinking of adding garlic, sulphur (never thought of this), black walnut hulls (never thought of this one either) . . .
        "So first let's talk about a couple of ways in which we can prevent flea problems for our pets altogether. The addition of Garlic to every one of our dog's meals will help to keep them free of fleas, as will the addition of Sulphur to their diet on a once a week basis. You can also try giving your pet Black Walnut Hulls that come in a capsule form at many health food stores which will repel not only fleas but also, ticks and mosquitoes. Also check out our page on the apple cider vinegar flea treatment for dogs! Keep in mind that none of these solutions will work overnight and may take about four to six weeks before they are effective."
           Note: There are some cautions regarding garlic and small dogs. Please do some research on this one before trying. I shall do the same and post!


  • http://www.mydoghasclass.com/  - really worthwhile! Train your pup toward the CLASS certificate. I am so impressed! And you can locate Toronto training schools offering this program.


  • Instead of Revolution and other possibly toxic flea prevention methods -- I shall be posting a series of alternative preventative measures. And I shall report on what our vet (East York Animal Hospital -- holistic/conventional) advises. For now - 
       http://www.naturalvetforpets.com/faqs.html


  • American Alsatian -  The other day I googled "large, mellow, intelligent service dogs" and came upon this new, evolving breed. I am absolutely enthralled!

  • A Canadian clothing company, Chilly Dogs  - I have seen firsthand a custom-made winter coat that fits perfectly on a good friend, a whippet named Merlin who boards with us. The service is dependable and personal. Good prices. 


  • The vaccination controversy - a new approach : it is a good idea to research the holistic (not a bad word!) approach to vaccinations. 





  • When to neuter your dog:  such a complicated question! I do think vets should discuss the issue with families, so an informed decision might be made.

  • Custodio's Meats and Eats - My lab Frida is on a raw diet, which is great, and I am always in search of butchers where I can buy the meat portion of her diet. A new butcher shop just opened in Ronesvalles, south of Galley Avenue. The butcher tells me the meat is antibiotic- and hormone-free. He personally knows the farmers and so can attest to the humane raising of the animals. Call a few days ahead of time to order. We order chicken backs and beef neck bones. The number is 647-350-6328

  • Protect your dog's paws this winter! http://musherssecret.net/ This is a non-toxic cream/wax you can put on your dog's paws. Allows perspiration through. 

  • Use a harness, NOT a collar on your dog! Please read and consider!


  •  http://wooftown.com/ - this friendly store is located off Yonge,  south of Summerhill, on Birch Avenue. I love shopping there for my pups - and they have free delivery! Also, they keep tabs on what you purchase, so if it's time for a refill (I get my Frida's fruit/veggie mix by Sojo), they will either phone or simply drop it off at your door (upon your request). 

  • Keep your vehicle clean! I am so thrilled to be listing this link!http://www.trunk-liners.com I just purchased a Honda CRV for my dogs to travel more comfortably and I have been searching for proper car coverage/protection. For the past two weeks, I have bee looking in stores and online and I have found numerous items that look acceptable. None offer the coverage of these liners. Sides of the cargo area (even with the back seat down), floor, up the back seat - double layers, the works!! And the service is amazing. Such fine folks. Really well worth it!

  • Before you hug your dog, read this: http://www.pgaa.com/canine/general/DTMdoghugs.html


    Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance
    This is a must-read article! I have disliked the notion of alpha and dominance in relation to dog training and here is an excellent article on the subject!


  • Common feeding mistakes that can harm your pet - a good article for those transitioning to a raw food diet; those who make the mistake of combining raw food and kibble, as well as other valuable information.

  • http://www.petmountain.com/  - Looking to buy discount Chuckit balls online, I came across this online shop. Toys are often 44% off. Worth checking out.

  • Shelties, upon my reading, seem like wonderful friends - so aware of their people's moods and so eager to learn and please. Tomorrow I shall meeting a Sheltie and her family. We have never had the pleasure of including a Sheltie in our hiking family!




         I've been looking for a winter coat for dogs of all sizes (small to super large) and I     like this coat. I haven't seen it, but the specs sound good. 
 "Vitamin C is great for dogs. I have used it with my Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs for years. The one thing that is really important that I didn't see above is the you can NOT give dogs normal vitamin C which is ascorbic acid. It is very easy to burn there stomachs with ascorbic acid. Calcium Ascorbate or Sodium Ascorbate are what you need. Ester C is great too."

  • East York Animal Hospital - What a wonderful clinic! At this holistic animal clinic (with their integrative approach - convention and holistic), my sweet Frida was successfully treated for her recurring bouts of Giardia and a chronic ear infection. I am so grateful to Dr. Yushenko! All the doctors at this clinic are superb - experienced in all modalities and wonderful in their humane approach to their patients.


  • http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperBark1
    "Sophia’s dedication to helping people communicate with pets in a positive, scientifically sound way has led her to create a variety of exceptional books and products for pet owners and pet-care professionals who also aspire to bond with their pets on a whole new level."
    ​
  • http://www.dogstardaily.com/
"Veterinarian, animal behaviourist, and dog trainer, Dr. Ian Dunbar received his veterinary degree and a Special Honors degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University) plus a doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at UC Berkeley, where he researched the development of social hierarchies and aggression in domestic dogs."