As dog owners we all want our pooch to be the best it possibly can. Training forms a huge part of the responsibilities of owning a canine companion, but what kind of things affect how easy (or difficult) it is to train a dog? Our research involved just over 1000 owners from all over the world, each with their own experiences and opinions as to how training should be carried out. This graphic shows the results.

Matt Beswick is an SEO consultant based in the UK who also runs Pet365 – an online pet supplies store stocking dog coats, collars and accessories.

Not being “judgmental” is nigh impossible. Someone points out that we are doing something stupid. We know they are right. Yet, we don’t like the embarrassment, so we turn up our noses to he sky, and retort sassily, “Uh, you are like… soooo like judgmental and stuff,” without realizing that statement is one of judgement.

Yes, I said sassily. Google it.

We are especially discerning with how other people parent their pets or children. I am personally big on discipline. So, I struggle to keep my nose pointing toward the horizon when I see someone with a dog that is running around peeing on everything, yapping cuss words, and tagging walls with graffiti. I shake my metaphoric fist and shout, “Hooligans!” Immediately my chest puffs out with pride at Basil as he walks right by my…. whoooaaaaaa! Then he takes off after a squirrel and jumps up on some nice old lady trying to lick her face.

To someone who knows Basil, it is endearing. However, seeing a strange dog that is literally tall enough to lick your face when he stands on his hind legs jump up at your face is obviously terrifying.

This photo was taken by our friend Rebekkah Kemp.

I wonder sometimes what others think of me as a dog parent. I do not pretend to not care about what others think. We all care. Simply, it doesn’t rule us, or shouldn’t. I think of it terms of how we describe Royalty. Would others consider me to be Nicholas the Wise? Or the Tyrrant? (shudders) I guess the real question is what would Basil say?

That answer I do know. At this very second he is licking my face. To him, I am just dad. If pushed, he would probably say I am Nicholas the Salty.

This article was written by Dallas Photographer Nicholas Laning.

I am going to combine two loves here. I love dogs. I also love words. So, I am going to throw a big one at you. Don’t act like it is a big deal either. You and I both know you are going to use this word within the next 24 hour period, and will revel in how smart you sound.

Here we go. The word is ANTHROPOMORPHISM. It means, the attribution of human form or behavior to a deity, animal, etc.

We humans love to do this. Think about every Disney cartoon there is. Bambi, Fox and the Hound, Robin Hood, Lion King, they are all feature animals that talk and emote as humans. This isn’t a new thing either. Aesop’s Fables and the Bible both have anthropomorphism in them.

Well, I am no different. After four years, I have noticed that I reward my bloodhound, Basil, by anthropomorphizing him. Without fail, I will say, “Good Boy, Basil!” or “How’s my big man doing?” Yet, if he sits on the sofa (a big no-no in our house) he is banished back to dogdom. “Bad dog, Basil. Bad dog.” This is especially ironic, as sitting on the sofa is a very human thing to do. Poor boy. See, did it again.

I don’t know why I do this, as I don’t think he minds being a dog. Perhaps it is how he sits like a human when he rides in a car, straight up with his back against the seat. Perhaps it is his love for almost all vegetables save tomatoes. Hold out a sugar snap pea, and you are risking losing a finger. Or, perhaps it is the way he cocks his head whenever you talk to him, as if he is trying to understand, but like Scotty from Star Trek, he just doesn’t have the power.

Let me introduce you to Basil, so that you can picture him when I speak of him in the future.

P.S. Let me know how throwing down ANTHROPOMORHISM goes for you. I am very excited to hear about it.

This post was written by: Nicholas L. Laning

China’s economy has blossomed so much that it is said that China has a million millionaires. So, what happens when someone didn’t have money now has more than they know what to do with? I’ll give you leg up and just say that the answer isn’t an increase in charitable giving. Nope. You spend it on a dog. Not dog(s) plural, but DOG… as in one.

The Tibetan Mastiff has become the new status symbol for all those new millionaires. The exact numbers are not known, but it has been reported that a pure bred Tibetan Mastiff sold for 1.5 million dollars.
Now, before I go and share my thoughts on the money aspect of it, let me say that the Tibetan Mastiff is easily one of the most majestic dog breeds I have ever seen, possessing the look of a lion more than a dog (though a lion would be cheaper). They are almost as big as lions too, easily weighing in at over 200 pounds.

So, with that out of the way, this dog lover has to say… a million dollars for a dog? A million dollars for something that is going to poop on your carpet, chew up your sofa, slobber all over your clothes before you, and shed all over your black suit or dress right before you head out for a nice dinner? That is beyond lottery winner frivolous. Just put a basketball court in your bed room, have Sting sing at your daughter’s birthday, or gold leaf your toilet like a normal person would.

I suppose you could throw a saddle on it and try to tell yourself you are saving on gas. Come to think of it, with the way gas prices are today, that isn’t a bad idea. Googling Tibetan Mastiffs now.

Article written by Dallas Photographer Nicholas Laning. To read more articles by Nicholas, go to www.laningphoto.com.

Photo by mastino0100.

Have a Happy Monday!!!

Have a beautiful Wednesday!!!

Be sure to give your Pug a HUG!!!

Enjoy your Wednesday!!!

Here is a little something to brighten your Monday.

Here is a cute video to start your weekend off right!!!!