Yes, I sold her out due to peer pressure yesterday. And I'm none too proud of it.

First, some context: I stopped apologizing for my Yorkies long ago. I'm a big guy, and people, especially guys, frequently tease me about owning little dogs.

At first, it hurt. I didn't want to be labeled a sissy. So I made sure I trained Eddie, my first Yorkie. I put him through obedience school and taught him lots of tricks. When people teased me, I'd just lay a half-dozen tricks on them. That always shut them up.

Jasmine

Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Do dogs need an annual checkup?

Growing up, visits to the vet were rare. Not only was my family frugal, but the level of love and respect for our animals wasn't what it is today.

Most vets I know recommend an annual checkup, but I wonder how many people do that.

Rabies shots are now given in doses that last three years, so shots alone aren't going to draw people to the vet. Teeth-cleaning is a yearly concern, but again, I'm guessing most people avoid that as well at $500 plus a pop.

New Jersey has just enacted what's being called the toughest seat belt law in the country -- for dogs.

A quick surfing of the Internet shows the law -- which penalizes drivers anywhere from $250 to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail -- is being praised and panned. Many dog groups are thankful for the protection, while legal experts and others see it as too far-reaching.

What do you think?

Thunder: (Photo by Albert Lewis, www.SeeSpotRun.me)
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Dogblog note: Another sure sign of summertime is letters to the editor about dogs in our opinion section.

Here's a selection of three that have been published lately. All of them bring up viable points about dog ownership.

If you feel like replying, you can either reply here, on the Dog Blog, or click on the headline and go to the Letters to the Editor roundup where it was published originally. If you reply there, the author is more likely to see a reply.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

I've been hauling out the agility equipment slowly this season, and I've been pleasantly surprised so far. Jillie finally is going over the teeter on her own, something she's struggled with over the past couple years. She really seems to enjoy it this year, and will walk across it even when not prompted.

I'm late to the party in learning about this event, but there's an Anchorage Pet Expo scheduled for Saturday, June 9, that appears to be a good chance to see a lot of local vendors and clubs under one roof at Sullivan Arena.

Amazing Pet Expos is a group that sponsors Pet Expos across the country. This is the first I recall in Anchorage, but I may be mistaken.

Baxter
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

I don't know about you, but the first question I get from most people meeting my dogs is, "Can I give your dog a treat?"

I suppose it's natural, and I admit I've done it before, but I've mostly broken myself of the habit. My feeling now is, treats are for training purposes, and most dogs get plenty of treats. If you allow everyone who meets your dog to give them a treat, it cuts down on the effectiveness of using treats as a reward.

Puppy Paws, the first YouTube episode on the lives of Denali National Park's new litter of sled dogs.

This summer, Denali National Park's kennel is opening its virtual doors to something special -- the birth, rearing and training of a its annual litter of sled dog puppies.

Kennel workers will do this through YouTube videos, a live webcam as well as the attached pictures taken by Jamie Dittmar of the National Park Service.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

We're wrapping up our (I hope) our annual "no bark" classes. Each spring, it seems, my dogs and the neighbor dogs on two sides forget that we all agreed that barking incessantly is not allowed through the fence.

I don't know if it's because they don't see each other as often in winter or that it's not as much fun to run up and down the fence in the snow, but a refresher course is always in order.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like, or just drop by and say hello.

All's well with my pack. I bought some of those Himalayan Dog Chews on the advice of longtime Dogblogger RobynandBatman. I'm pleasantly surprised. I was certain Lucy would still demolish it in minutes, but she's going on two days now and has hardly made a dent.

Rascal

Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Rascal was featured as our Pet of the Week in July 2009, right about the time when he participated in the Anchorage 4th of July Parade and did wonderfully with crowds and families! This handsome fellow is friendly and pleasant, curious, and enjoys the company of humans. He's

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

Alaska Dog Sports hosted Alaska's first National Association of Canine Scent Work trial last weekend, and judging from the reaction of the participants it was a huge success.

It was a big deal for Alaska nose work enthusiasts. The sport is only a few years old, so to have our own official trial so soon was a real treat.

Here's an interesting article from The Associated Press -- a look at baby boomers' animal-owning habits. Are they changing? Will they change more?

And, yes, the Mike Lewis interviewed for the story is yours truly -- proof that the pet owning world, as big as it is, is a small community.

Riley
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Do you feel comfortable letting your dog say "hello" to another leashed dog that you pass on a walk? Have you ever had a bad experience?

I used to allow it regularly, but I've had a number of bad experiences and now avoid it. For a reason I don't fully understand, dogs are more protective when they're on leash.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like.

I've been in an especially sad mood today. Our little-dog group lost a member of our pack. Lucy, who has gone to just about every twice-weekly meetup we've had for the past two years, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this morning.

Thirsty
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.