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Family Dog or Resident Dog?

One of they many problems with Breed Specific Legislation is that it does not take into account the circumstances that affect the behaviour and social abilities of individual dogs. Instead, BSL provides sweeping generalizations about behaviour (or a set of behaviours) thought to be inherent across an entire breed. Thankfully, ongoing studies are expanding our knowledge of canine psychology and behaviour, and are providing valuable evidence to dispel many of the beliefs and assumptions being used in support of Breed Specific Legislation. Family Dog or Resident Dog Very interesting studies are being done to determine the difference in the behaviour and social skills of family dogs as opposed t

BSL - Breed Specific Legislation

Breed-specific legislation (commonly referred to as BSL) is a law or ordinance that is passed to impose regulations on specific dog breeds. Such regulations can also apply to mixed breeds and even dogs that visually appear to be, or resemble, a certain type of breed. While many people equate BSL with the 'banning' of breeds, it can also be enacted to mandate limitations and precautions such as mandatory muzzling, not being off-leash in a public setting, liability insurance requirements for the owners, enclosure requirements, etc. What Is The Purpose of BSL? Breed-specific legislation is a political reaction to public outcry following a well-publicized bite or attack incident by a dog of a pa

The Dog Park - Good, Bad or ... ?

The dog park is yet another topic that can provide a lot of discussion and disagreement in the dog world. Is it good? Is it bad? Is the dog park right for you and, more importantly, your dog? I have heard and read lots of opinions from both sides of the dog park debate; dog owners, professionals within the dog training community, city park officials, etc., but ultimately there is no single answer... it's up to you to decide whether the park setting is going to be the right for you and your dog. Two common reasons for having and using dog parks: A place for dogs to socialize with each other. Many urban/suburban dwellers do not have adequate space to exercise their dog, so the dog park becomes

What Tale Does A Wagging Tail Tell?

A lot of people think that a wagging tail means a dog is showing his friendliness, but that belief could quickly get you into trouble. In reality, not all 'wags' mean the same thing. One wag may indeed be signaling a "Hello friend!" welcome, but another wag might be telling you to "Back off!" while yet another is saying "I'm frightened!" How do you tell the difference? Here's a primer to help figure it out: HEIGHT OF TAIL: The height that the dog holds its tail is kind of like an emotional thermostat. The higher the tail, the more alert the dog is. A mid-height tail would suggest the dog is alert but relaxed. A low slung tail indicates fear. SPEED OF WAG: The speed of the wag indicates the l