Northern Virginia Dog Blog Your Source for Canine Information and Fun!

Talk to most dog trainers for any length of time, and you'll almost always here them say that when it comes to teaching a dog basic manners, "nothing in life is free." What, exactly, does that mean? Specifically, the idea that "nothing in life is free" helps you, the dog owner, control the resources that your dog wants:  food, affection, toys, playtime, whatever.  Your dog can have access to those resources--if he earns that access...

No, that title is not a joke. While this blog is all about picking up after your dog during a walk, and disposing of the waste by putting it in the trash, we were nevertheless intrigued when we read about a new product: the AshPooPie. The Ashpoopie is exactly what it says it is:  a device that claims to turn your doggie's downloads into a sterile, odorless ash in a matter of seconds. The manufacturer, Paulee Purtec, says that the ash can...

We've all heard of leaving a paper trail. But the little dog in this video leaves a trail of a different kind, and performs a novel maneuver in order to do so: ...

Today is Veteran's Day, and it's appropriate that we take the time to honor those members of the armed forces who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of their fellow citizens. Each and every one of those veterans are truly heroes. But there are also other heroes, all of whom have four legs but who don't necessarily belong to the military.  They are dogs. This evening, the Hallmark Channel will telecast the...

Here at the Northern Virginia Dog Blog, we've been having a great time sharing info and fun stuff with all of you. But this is one of our last our final posts ... ... before we make some big changes. In the very near future, the Northern Virginia Dog Blog will become the Metro DC Dog Blog! Instead of focusing on all things dog strictly in NoVA-land, we'll extend that focus to pooches and their people in Maryland and the District of...

When we felt them one evening last week, we froze. Then we took a look.  There they were:  two nickel-sized lumps, one right next to the other, on our dog's groin. No matter how much you know about canine lumps and bumps, feeling one or more of those little protrusions on your own dog still elicits a fearful chill.  Your first reaction, all too often, runs along the lines of, "Oh my God, my dog's got cancer and is gonna die."  And if your...

Today we present Bandit, a 7-week-old Corgi puppy, as he tries to figure out what that cold, slippery thing on the floor is and how he can get hold of it. ...

Got a problem dog? Wanna get him (or her) on MTV? Read on! MTV is looking for out-of-control dogs and their people to cast in an episode of the network's True Life documentary series. According to MTV casting associate Alicia Arnold, the show is interested in casting owners between the ages of 15 and 28 who are coping with an over-the-top dog or other animal companion. Trainer Pat Miller, who alerted us to the casting call, says that a crew...

A number of years back, we were hard at work on a book about how to take care of older dogs -- and were envious of those people who actually lived with dogs who'd reached their golden years. That's because, at the time we were writing the book, we were also attempting to teach an extremely mischievous Golden Retriever puppy some basic manners. From housetraining to countersurfing to playing tug-of-war with her leash during walks, Allie was...

Tonight's the night: that annual march of costumed, candy-seeking kids known as Halloween. But while this yearly ritual is almost inevitably (not to mention literally) sweet for youngsters, it can prove quite hazardous to the dogs in our lives. Here are a few tips for helping to ensure that Fido safely survives this evening's festivities: Keep him home.  Sure, the idea of having your costumed canine go trick-or-treating along with your...