Murphdog Magazine

OBSESSING OVER TOY SMELLS

August 29, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, ETC, HEALTH, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, PUPPY, SAFETY, TOYS & CHEWS

Three weeks ago, a friend bought the toy pictured below for Rory, a toy-breed dog. He placed it on the kitchen counter, still in the bag supplied by the store he purchased it from, as he continued to carry[…]

I’M SO HUNGRY WHAT IS THERE TO EAT?

July 26, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, FOOD, HEALTH, HOUSETRAINING, INFORMATIVE-, nutrition, pet parent, PUPPY, puppy training, Training Blog, TRAINING-

I will always yield to the veterinarian of choice, but pet parents often ask me questions about feeding their puppy. Breeders may tell pet parents that it’s best to free-feed, meaning leave the puppy food available to the puppy all[…]

GUARDING AGAINST “GUARDING RESOURCES”

July 25, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, FOOD, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, PUPPY, puppy training, SAFETY, TOYS & CHEWS, Training Blog, TRAINING-

When a dog warns a human or another dog to stay away from his/her food, toys, bed, or anything they consider belonging to them, it is referred to as GUARDING RESOURCES. That is a nicer way of saying POSSESSION AGGRESSION.[…]

WALK THIS WAY ROCKY COME GOOD PUPPY

July 23, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, COLLARS, INFORMATIVE-, PUPPY, puppy training, SOCIALIZING, TOYS & CHEWS, Training Blog, TRAINING-, walking

Teaching a puppy to walk at” heel” is not the first step. Teaching a puppy to “walk with a leash on” is the first step. What does that mean? You bring home a new puppy, and your first concern is[…]

PLANNED PET PARENTING

July 22, 2024 jrobbins3 adoption, ADOPTION & RESCUE, ETC, HEALTH, HOUSETRAINING, HYGIENE, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, puppy training, RESCUE, SOCIALIZING

Just as most couples prefer to “plan” for their anticipated parenthood, it is best to plan before you take on the responsibility of a Puppy, Older Dog, or Rescued dog. No matter what age, origin, breed, sex, size, color, training,[…]

DOGS SHOULD NEVER SIT/GET UP!

July 17, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, COLLARS, HARNESSES, INFORMATIVE-, puppy training, SOCIALIZING, Training Blog, TRAINING-, walking

Most pet parents love to teach their puppies to sit when prompted with a treat or toy. Subsequently, most puppies will sit even if you pretend to offer a treat. Easy peasy. The hard part is teaching your puppy to[…]

YOUR DOG CAN LEARN TO DO THIS

July 17, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, COLLARS, HARNESSES, INFORMATIVE-, LEASHES, pet parent, PUPPY, puppy training, RESCUE, SAFETY, TRAINING-, walking

The complaint I often hear from pet parents is that their dog PULLS ON THE LEASH. If their dog could talk to me, I bet the number one complaint would be that the pet parent pulls on the other end[…]

MURPHDOGS (MY DOGS) GO VEGAN!

July 17, 2024 jrobbins3 ETC, FOOD, HEALTH, INFORMATIVE-, nutrition, pet parent

The following information is not meant to replace any veterinary advice. It is only a recollection of my experience with my dogs. It is not intended to convince pet parents to change their dogs’ diets or ignore the medical guidance[…]

CAN YOUR PUPPY BE TOO FRIENDLY?

July 17, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, LEASHES, pet parent, PUPPY, puppy training, SAFETY, SOCIALIZING, TRAINING-, walking

Though we cannot always ascribe human traits to our pups, it’s often easier to use human traits as a comparison to understand canine behavior. You may remember having a friend or classmate who needed more attention than anyone else. In[…]