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 huskies, and Lucy, a sweet Chessie. R.I.P., Rusty. Contact mlewis@adn.com

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Halloween: Pets

Post a picture of your pooch in costume before the Oct. 28 deadline, then check back to view the submissions in our 5th Annual Howwwwl-oween Costume Contest.

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

AACCC Adoption of the Week: Meet Murphy - 2/8/2012 7:56 pm

Dog friendly businesses in Anchorage? - 2/4/2012 3:52 pm

Anything goes: What's on your dog-loving minds? - 2/4/2012 3:49 pm

(Late) Friday training talk: What's new with your pack? - 2/4/2012 3:27 pm

Pet New Year set for Saturday - 2/1/2012 10:52 am

AACCC Adoption of the Week: Meet Mickey - 2/1/2012 10:48 am

Training motivator: Food or toys? - 1/30/2012 8:53 am

Friday training talk -- what's up with your pack? - 1/28/2012 9:54 am

Friday training talk: Making any progress?

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes or to seek a friendly ear about setbacks.

I've been so preoccupied with Eddie's rehabilitation that I haven't been working with any of the dogs as much as I'd like. Still, Jillie amazes me. I taught her an "around me" finish in just a couple of sessions, and she's getting pretty good at it. She'll be sitting in front of me, I'll say "around," and she'll do a loop around me and sit on my left side. It's probably a mistake, but I taught it while she was unleashed. She sometimes needs a little coaxing to sit in the correct spot.

Eddie's going through his recertification for therapy dog work. He has to take the 20-stage Delta Society test on Feb. 27th. Two years ago, I was paranoid that he'd choke, but he proved me wrong and aced it. Even though he's done the work without incident since then, I'm starting to get a little nervous again. We don't regularly practice heels and sits in strange locations. I'm probably going to hold a couple cram sessions over the next week to make sure he's comfortable doing what he needs to do.

What's up with your pack?

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