 Lifestyles Columnists for Stafford County Sun
WILLIAMS: A dog’s letter to Santa
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Dear Santa,
Williams: Spice up your dog’s life
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Sleep, wake up, go outside, eat breakfast, sleep, eat dinner, sleep. How closely does the above schedule resemble your dog’s daily routine?
Williams: Love you, but not your dog
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The other day, a friend asked me for the nicest, most tactful way to tell his good friend that her dog is driving him nuts.
Williams: Training tips for small dogs
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While the most popular breed of dog in the United States might be a Labrador Retriever, it’s no surprise to me that 12 out of the top 20 most popular breeds are toy or small breed dogs.
Williams: Dogs sometimes picky eaters, too
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Getting a dog to eat really shouldn’t be a difficult task. After all, they’re animals, and an animal’s will to survive should include a natural instinct to eat at every opportunity provided.
Williams: Are TV dog trainers helping or hurting?
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Never before has there been more information and resources available to help pet parents live harmoniously with their canine companions.
Williams: Everything your dog needs to know
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Robert Fulghum wrote a great book some years back titled, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” While it is a book about humans and our behavior, I find this concept true with dogs.
Williams: Keeping pets cool through summer
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The other day on Oprah Winfrey I caught a tragic story of a mother who unknowingly left her baby in her closed car for hours during a very hot day.
Williams: Let dog be your co-pilot
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Our appearance on “Greatest American Dog” afforded Andrew and me a lot of travel opportunities.
Williams: Being honest about our dogs
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As a dog trainer and behavior specialist, I feel it’s my duty to tell my students and clients the truth regarding my observations, even though at times it may be painful to hear.
Williams: Dogfighting — it’s bigger than Vick
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We animal lovers are a tough lot. We’re opinionated, oftentimes judgmental, and let’s face it, we’re much harder on humans than we are on dogs.
Williams: Taking dog bites seriously
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National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17-23) is upon us again. For over a decade, the third week of May has been a time to thrust the spotlight on the dog bite problem in this country.
Williams: Shy dog or party animal?
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The cause of many behavior problems in dogs often comes down to a lack of proper socialization. Like humans, dogs are social creatures.
Williams: Vacation time—who gets the dog?
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Vacation time is quickly approaching. Every family member’s need has been accounted for? But if you’ve chosen an un-dogfriendly vacation spot, who gets the dog?
Williams: Pet food recalls — wake up call or easily forgotten
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Spring 2007 marked the beginning of a mass recall of a wide variety of pet foods and received unprecedented media attention.
Williams: The AKC invites mixed breeds to the show
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Ever since its formation in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has limited its registration and events to AKC recognized purebred dogs.
Williams: Could your dog be a therapy dog?
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A few weeks ago I wrote about two very important jobs dogs can perform: assistance and therapy work.
Williams: Do you take this dog?
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When I was a participant on the television show “Greatest American Dog,” I compared the relationship with a dog to a marriage of sorts.
Williams: Many dogs hold down important jobs
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More and more we see dogs out and about in all kinds of places from hospitals and nursing homes, to libraries, schools and sometimes even in restaurants and grocery stores.
Williams: Finding your dog
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Every now and then something shocking happens to me.
Williams: It’s guys like you, Mickey!
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I wanted Mickey Rourke to win this year’s Oscar for Best Actor. His portrayal of Randy “The Ram” in “The Wrestler” was so heartwarming, and you could tell he poured every bit of his heart and soul into the performance.
Williams: My Westminster dream come true
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As I reflect on my attendance at Westminster Dog Show’s opening day, I’m simply amazed there are no visible bruises on my arms. I know I pinched myself dozens of times all day. You see, this was one of those longtime dreams fulfilled for me.
Williams: Why does my dog do that?
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I receive a lot of inquiries from my students and clients about different behaviors their dogs are exhibiting. Everyone wants to know if what their dog is doing would be considered normal. I thought I’d take some time to address a few of the behaviors I get asked about the most.
Williams: Second chances all around
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There’s something very strange about hearing a gate lock behind you. Even though you know all you have to do is ask and someone will unlock it, there’s still a part of you that wants to run back and grab onto the bars. That’s how I felt the first minute after walking through the entrance to James River Correctional Center last week.
Williams: White House dog to be cherished regardless
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Last fall on election night, like any other doting dad, President Barack Obama announced to his girls in front of over 100,000 supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park, “I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.“
Williams: Dogs—the new comfort food
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We saw a lot of exotic animals at the box office this past year. The “Dark Knight” and “Twilight” brought us bats and werewolves, “Kung Fu Panda” brought pandas to life, and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” showed us lions, hippos and zebras trying to find their way home.
Williams: ‘Marley & Me, The Sequel’
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First there was “Beethoven,” the popular 1992 movie about the lovable but rambunctious young Saint Bernard who wreaked havoc on his family while eluding evil dognappers.
DC Dog Training Examiner
This ain't your Border Collie's dog agility
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Flying High The fast-paced sport of dog agility has been around since the mid 1980s and has continually grown into one of the most popular dog sports in the world. Today there are many different organizations that hold competitions, and in most, ...
Business owners and landlords read this before you get sued!
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Which of the dogs pictured to the right is a service or assistance dog? Would you be willing to put money on it? Because we most often see Labrador and Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds serving as guide dogs and/or assistance anima...
This is all so much bigger than Michael Vick
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And unfortunately so many dog people and animal rights activists don't get that. I've read articles and blog after blog by some very passionate dog lovers who, while they certainly mean well, seem to think that further punishing Vick, i.e. preventing...
Take the bite out of dog bites (VIDEO)
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In honor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 17 - 23, 2009) , here are the facts:According to the Journal of the American Medical Association there are almost 800,000 dog bites each year. One out of every six are serious enough to require medic...
American Idol contestant Lil Rounds gets new Maltese puppy
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Geoffrey Sweetie Man 12 wks
I'd be remiss if I didn't report that newly ousted American Idol contestant Lil Rounds reports that not only is she returning to a new home in Memphis, but a brand new Maltese puppy as well! I know I'm bei...
Bring your pets to party in Adams Morgan at the Bow Wow Pow Wow
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The annual Adams Morgan BowWowPowWow will kick off this Sunday from 11:00am - 5:00pm at Marie Reed School Plaza, located at the 2200 block of 18th St NW at Wyoming Ave. This day of fun and activities for you and your furry, four-legged fr...
AKC ends century old policy barring mixed breed dogs from shows
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Ever since its formation in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has been a registry and conformation and performance event organization for purebred dogs only. Well this past Tuesday the AKC released a press release announcing the adop...
First Millie Bush, now Bo Obama but will his book be a bestseller?
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Insert photo caption or credit here I guess we had to know this was coming, but within just a couple days of his coming out party? How fast can you print books these days? Bo's certainly not the first to be featured in a book, Millie Bus...
The Obamas set very positive example with Bo
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There's been much ado about where and how the Obamas got their new dog Bo, but as a trainer and human/canine relationship counselor I'm much more concerned about what kind of pet parents they will be and what they do with the First Dog now that...
What is a rescue dog?
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Introducing Bo Obama!
The political pundits will stop at nothing and will debate everything. Since the announcement of the Obama family's personal choice of a family dog, now up for debate is the definition of a rescue dog! Because &qu...
Obama dog to be inaugurated on Tuesday
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What's in Sasha & Malia's Easter Basket?According to reports on TMZ, the first dog will finally make his way home to the White House on Tuesday. I'd long speculated that the Obamas choice would definitely be the Portuguese Water Dog....
Dogs win Ben Stein's heart
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What does Ben Stein know more than money? Anyone? Anyone? It seems the dry, milquetoast financial expert, former Nixon speechwriter and actor most famous for playing Ferris Bueller's bland, emotionless teacher has a...
Celebrity dogs to the rescue!
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Andrew and his toy likenesses A virtual who's who among canine celebrities gathered in Fredericksburg, Virginia on March 28, 2009 for a grand birthday celebration and roast in honor of fellow Celebripup™ Andrew the Great Maltese from CBS&rsq...
Ring Time: The Inside Scoop with Laurie Williams
We’re Looking for a Few Good GIRLY DOGS!
- We’re Looking for a Few Good Girly Dogs in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC Metro Areas!
What: The Girly Dog Challenge
Where: Super Pet Expo
When: Feb. 13 & 14, 2010 – Edison, NJ
Feb. 27 & 28, 2010 – King of Prussia, PA
March 20 & 21 – Chantilly, VA
If you’ve been dismissed as a GIRLY DOG, here’s [...]
Celebripups Hit the Big Apple for Charity
- It was all black tie and tails, literally, last week at the North Shore Animal League America’s 2009 DogCatemy Celebrity Gala held on November 5th. The annual charity event featured a screening of celebrity-made short films, all about pets of course, nominated for awards in the following categories: Best Tail-Waggin’ Comedy, Best Musical, Best [...]
Those Greatest American Dogs – 1 Year Later – Where Are They Now?
- As we approach the one year anniversary of the final episode, most Dogsters have undoubtedly figured out what I knew the moment I left Canine Academy: there’s not going to be a second season of Greatest American Dog. Even though nearly 10 million viewers tuned in to the premiere, the show’s ratings [...]
TV Dog Training – Helping or Hurting?
- Never before has there been more information and resources available to help pet parents live harmoniously with their canine companions. If you surf the net you will discover thousands of training Web sites; the dog training section in bookstores and libraries is inundated with new titles every month; and dog training is a [...]
Handling the Hair of Many Dogs
- As a dog daycare owner and operator, the first thing I look for in a potential employee at my facility, Pup ‘N Iron Canine Fitness & Learning Center, is a complete and unabashed love for dogs. I know it would come as no surprise to fellow dogsters that this attribute is pretty easy to [...]
More than Just a Dog Park
- When Dogster and I put out the call for the most dogsterrific dog park, we knew we’d hear about some great parks throughout the country! And boy did we! Selecting the winner was not an easy task, but now that Andrew and I have had an opportunity to visit Veterans Park in Hamilton, [...]
Dogster Pup Pals Win Big at TDAA Agility Trials
- Two Dogster pup pals finally had the chance to meet and play agility together at the Pup ‘N Iron TDAA (Teacup Dog Agility Association) agility trials held on June 13 & 14, 2009. TDAA agility offers competition for dogs 17″ tall and under. It features smaller, more size appropriate equipment, and tighter courses [...]
Re-examining Michael Vick as a potential HSUS spokesperson
- He’s scum. What he did was despicable, unimaginable, downright inhuman. Of all people, we here on dogster get that. But how do we reach the people who don’t? And believe me, there are plenty. Now that we’ve been able to let off a little steam and let out our rage, [...]
Let’s Make Every Week Bite Prevention Week!
- This week (May 17-23) has been National Dog Bite Prevention Week, a time when we’re presented with sobering statistics such as:
The CDC estimates that 4.5 million dog bites occur each year.
The odds that a dog bite victim will be a child are 3 to 1.
3/4 of dogs involved in bite incidents belong to [...]
And the Winner is … Veterans Park!
- Andrew and I, are pleased to announce the winner of the Dogster Dogsterrific Dog Park Contest! The prize goes to Veterans Park in Hamilton, NJ. The dog park was nominated by Arden Townsend because of its wonderful offerings such as agility equipment, a water fountain, and a separate area for small and large dogs. [...]
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