Dog Blog

The Dog Blog is a community of ordinary dog lovers who have come together to discuss our extraordinary dogs. Each Monday, a new topic is introduced. If you've got an opinion, share it. If not, look for the current "anything goes" topic and introduce a discussion of your own. On Fridays, weigh in about your training questions and successes.
Your host: Mike Lewis is a little-dog nerd and the proud owner of Eddie and Jillian, a pair of Yorkies who think they're Labs, and Rusty, an elderly Lab who thinks he's a Yorkie. Contact mlewis@adn.com

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Alaska Pets

See local photos, videos, pets available for adoption, lost-animal listings, and events for the animal lover on our new pets portal.

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Dog shots

Check out the gallery of readers' dog photos and send in one of your own.

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Howwwwl-oween Costume Contest

It's time for our annual Howwwwl-oween costume contest, your chance to make your Scary Scottie, Ghoulish Greyhound or Princess Pug famous.

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Animal rescue blog

Read about Alaska animal rescues on this Daily News community blog.

A few spots available for K9 Nose Work Scenting Workshop - 3/12/2010 9:02 pm

Friday training talk: Anything new to report? - 3/11/2010 10:19 pm

Anything goes: What's up with your pack? - 3/10/2010 10:57 am

Adoption of the week: Meet Rex - 3/10/2010 10:10 am

Given the opportunity, would you run the Iditarod? - 3/8/2010 11:27 pm

Update on the proposed fenced dog park - 3/8/2010 1:01 pm

Anybody do anything fun during Iditarod start? - 3/6/2010 10:24 pm

Friday training talk: What's up with your pack? - 3/5/2010 2:24 pm

Is your dog a hero? - 3/3/2010 11:30 am

Anything goes: What's up, dogs? - 3/3/2010 11:30 am

Adoptions of the week: Meet Sassafras and Kishka - 3/3/2010 11:29 am

Rondy Mutt Show video - 3/1/2010 8:54 pm

Fur Rondy Mutt Show - 2/28/2010 10:43 am

Egil Ellis likes little dogs, too - 2/27/2010 4:06 pm

Friday training talk: Anything new to report? - 2/26/2010 11:16 am

Reminder of upcoming dog events in town - 2/25/2010 11:59 am

Adoption of the week: Meet Dallas - 2/24/2010 11:10 am

Animal-cruelty legislation moves forward - 2/23/2010 4:14 pm

Is there an answer to Alaska's stray pet problems? - 2/22/2010 2:13 pm

Police threaten to shoot stray dogs in Bethel - 2/20/2010 7:46 pm

Friday training talk: Making any progress? - 2/19/2010 7:49 pm

AACCC pooch learning to read - 2/18/2010 4:29 pm

Low-cal treats: Do you have a favorite?

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When I was a kid, the prescribed method for entertaining your dog while away was to toss them a soup or rawhide bone. But those can present problems to some dogs. Soup bones can chip and be swallowed. Rawhide is tough to digest. Bully sticks are great, but, as with the rest, if you use them, you need to be around to supervise.

Kongs and various interactive toys where you can hide treats are nice, but I'm finding that the peanut butter, cheese and treats I stuff into them can create dietary problems. Especially when you've got a dog on the injury list with no outlet for his energy. I've cut Eddie's food portions, but I'm afraid he's getting too many calories.

Do you have any low-cal treats you stuff into your Kongs or interactive toys? Do you have any other tips for keeping your dog occupied while you're away without making them fat?

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