Dawn Watson | CNBnews Contributor I am a trucker. My spiffy little Hyundai Accent could not pull the trailer I bought, so I sold her and bought a used truck. The Accent was named Katniss. The truck is Ragnar. I’ve become a different person. I drove Ragnar home from Philly. There was traffic. I was surprised at how easy he was to handle. Cars honked at me. I honked back. The sound of the horn was deep and resonant. Powerful. Definitely not a Katniss-sounding horn. I rolled down the window and hung my arm out the way I imagine truckers... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor A dog must be taught, gently and respectfully, that you, the owner, is in charge. One way to accomplish this is to have Fido sit for all favors. For example, giving him the sit command (one word) before meals, treats, petting, and going outdoors will teach your dog that respecting you will be rewarded. Do not repeat—if your dog does not respond the first time you give him a command simply follow up with a sharp, “Hey!” and wait for him to follow orders. Then smile and praise him for his accomplishment. If you have... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 11, 2019)-- I have two super-powers: my sense of hearing and my sense of smell. Usually they are blessings. Not always. Let’s talk about a super sense of smell. I can smell a cigarette butt out on the sidewalk while standing in my kitchen with all my doors and windows shut. Imagine for a moment, tending a pack of dogs while ‘enjoying’ a super-power like that. Or, being in a crowd of gassy old men as they watch a football game at a bar while eating hotdogs piled with sauerkraut. And... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor People often ask why I care for elderly and special needs dogs. I generally answer by saying that they need me. But the truth is, I need them. There are many folks whose main priority in life is to nurture. We thrive only when having someone to care for. When a rescue reaches out to me, describing a small dog abandoned because of blindness, old age, or other disabilities I step in. I can’t say no. There are benefits to dealing with these special little beings—they love unconditionally, they snuggle unendingly, and they give me... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 4, 2019)-- I went for a walk around my block the other day. It turned into an adventure. First of all, I live in a neighborhood where everybody knows your name. That isn’t always a good thing because they can address your indiscretions personally. Like, “Hey Dawn, I saw that your recycle bin spilled out onto the street yesterday. Switched from Blue Moon to Pabst? You okay?” And, “Hey Dawn, I see by your birth date that you just got your social security check. Can I borrow five bucks?” and so... Continue reading

Trixie--a perfect fit! Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 2, 2019)(CNBNewsnet)--Having worked with dogs for most of my life I have discovered that a few dogs do not “fit” the families that have adopted them. You may fall in love with a dog only to bring him home and, when the normal “honeymoon” period wears off you are left with a pet whose personality and habits are not optimal. What do you do with a perfectly good dog you can’t warm up to? First, give it some time. Get to know him and see if you can... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNews Contributor GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (January 28, 2019)(CNBNewsnet)--I have a favorite bar, my place to go after work or for a Saturday afternoon. I meet friends there, eat there sometimes, and generally act foolish, then follow it up with a coffee chaser. And it’s close enough that I can walk home. When I enter I usually pause dramatically and say, “Let’s get this party started!” If it’s early in the afternoon the regular patrons answer appropriately. If it’s later, only the bartenders respond; the unfamiliar patrons study their beers and hope nobody starts a fight. I flirt... Continue reading

Dawn Watson CNBNewsnet Contributor GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (January 26, 2019)(CNBNewsnet)-- Recently, there has been an increase in individuals and families that invest in campers and vans and hit the road after selling most of their belongings. I am one of those individuals! In order to make it a joyous adventure for me—and my dogs—I’ve studied many tutorials and educated myself about caring for my pets during my travels. It is important to make sure your pets are travel-worthy. Get them up to date on shots before traveling across state lines. Take care of teeth-cleaning; remember, you’ll be living in a... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/CNBNewsnet My feet are enormous. When I shop for shoes I have several choices: buy a woman’s gigantic size and try to cram my feet into them or buy a man’s size and look like Ronald MacDonald from the ankles, down. Men’s shoe styles are mostly wide at the front. My feet aren’t made that way—they’re more like skis with toes. However, women’s styles are way too narrow at the front and they cause my piggies to squeal with every step. Then there are the “Mary Janes”, kind of rounded-toe jobs that look like they were made for a... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/CNBNEWSnet When a beloved friend or relative dies people are quick to console the bereaved. However, when a pet dies the loss is often overlooked. We treasure our pets and consider them part of the family and their passing causes an inexplainable void in our lives. If someone close to you suffers this kind of loss, it is acceptable to console him or her in any way you feel appropriate. Remember that the owner is suffering and will appreciate your support. If you have questions about this or any other dog-related issue, please contact me at 856.981.8957. There is... Continue reading

Dawn Watson I CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ --I wear many hats. Some of them are worn at the same time. For example, I train dogs and I’m a dog owner (a “dog mom”). Unfortunately, my dogs only know me as The Female That Feeds, so they don’t take advice from me when it comes to their behavior. I’m also a writer, churning out columns and novels at a pretty steady rate. However, I’m also renovating a trailer and taking to the road so my writing is sometimes put on the back burner while I get ready for an adventure. My... Continue reading

Dawn O Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 31, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)-- Each year January 2nd heralds the return of children and teachers to school, parents to work (if they were lucky enough to have off for the holidays), and generally a return to normal life. Kids trudge the streets, grumbling about how unfair life is as they show off their new Nike’s, Abercrombie and Fitch sweaters and jeans, and coats from Nordstrom and Saks. They ride their sparkling new bikes that boast eighty pounds of chains to secure them and gripe about actually having a vehicle they have to peddle.... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 29, 2018)-- Dogs are individuals and their personalities show up shortly after birth. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to view a litter from birth to seven or eight weeks old you’ll notice that there is a definite hierarchy within the pack. Generally, a male will take the Alpha role, submitting only to its mother. He will stand or roll over other pack members over in order to show dominance. This trait will generally continue throughout his life. Some dogs begin life being shy or unsociable while others play and frolic with... Continue reading

Dawn O Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 25, 2018)--My family is unique; there haven’t been any babies born within day-trip-visit distance since the ‘90’s, which makes our Christmas non-kid inclusive, child-free, or however you want to say it. Christmas eve is spent having lunch with my adult children, followed up by a couple of brewskies at whichever pub is open in town, paying an outrageous tip to my designated driver for hauling me home at 7:30 PM. I make merry. But not for long. While I miss the thought of tots’ squeals as they open their gifts on... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 17, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)--Everyone in America knows the story of Christmas eve—how Santa shows up on the roof with his sled and reindeer and jumps down the chimney with toys for good little boys and girls. We get that. But what about those of us whose kids are grown and we have not been blessed with grandkids? What happens to us on Christmas eve? Do we get skipped even if we were really good? If we paid our taxes, brushed our teeth twice a day, and ate a healthy diet? Doesn’t seem fair. I... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (December 15, 2018)Here is the easiest way in which to housebreak your dog: 1. Take the dog outside. Say, “Go potty” in a calm, firm voice. 2. If the dog is successful, praise him and reward him. 3. If the dog is unsuccessful bring him back into the house and crate or otherwise separate him for about ten minutes. 4. If the dog urinates in the house during this period of time, say “No” and quickly take him outside. Repeat Step #1. 5. If the dog does not urinate in the house take... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/CNBnewsnet Dogs grieve. Their grief may be perceived as something different than the grief experienced by humans but when someone with whom Fido has become attached is no longer there, he will let you know his feelings. When a close member of Fido’s pack passes away he may act lethargic, whine and seem to be looking for the beloved person or animal, or stop eating. Be comforted in knowing that this behavior will recede in time. Give the dog extra attention. Allow Fido to sleep on the belongings of the deceased so he is surrounded by familiar smells. Be... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/Cnbnewsnet You're all ready to move into a new apartment or house. Boxes fill every nook and cranny and excitement is high. But, what about Fido? Dogs pick up on their family's emotions and sometimes react negatively to them. When you anticipate moving you may witness changes in your dog's habits and personality. That's because dogs have a heightened sense of instinct. Reassure Fido by spending as much time as you can with him during this stressful time. Plan a trip to the new house so that he becomes accustomed to it. Keep a few of his favorite toys... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/Cnbnewsnet For the first time in my life I have a female room-mate. Although I’ve had one or two (ahem) gentlemen as room-mates my current one is a young friend of the family whom I solicited because I need help. There’s definitely a Yin and Yang to this and we are still working on it. It goes something like this: Roomie: Good morning! I made fresh coffee! How did you sleep? It’s cold outside… Me: blub flof foo… (things I say when half-asleep). On the other hand when she comes home from a long day at work and a... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (November 24, 2018)(CNBNewsnet)--One of the major complaints I hear from dog owners concerns attention-seeking behavior. Dogs will do anything for attention. Even negative behaviors that they understand are unacceptable will be utilized if the dog has something to ‘say’. Most long-term owners recognize their dog’s individual verbalizations and respond to them. However, a newly adopted or unfamiliar dog may not be able to get his meaning across. My room-mate’s dog, Molly has a unique, clear language. She lets her owner know when she wants to go outside, when it’s time to eat, and when she... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/CNBNewsnet The Urban Dictionary describes free spirits as those who see things differently and can adapt to whatever comes their way. They create their own happiness and survive despite the odds without worrying what others may think. Since that pretty much sums up my philosophy I guess I’m a free spirit. That being said, sometimes this lifestyle is not of my own choosing. Rather, it is forced upon me and it’s sink-or-swim-time. For example, training dogs came naturally because I love dogs and people kept giving me their bad dogs, saying, “Here. Take him or I’ll drive out to... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet I am often told about dogs that are “jealous”, “ashamed”, “guilty” or “spiteful”. These descriptive terms come under the example of anthropomorphisms. The simple explanation of anthropomorphism is the false idea that animals can manifest human emotions when in fact, they do not possess that capability. A scenario in which Fido appears “jealous” would be when he seeks his owner’s attention while the owner is playing with another dog. This is a case of survival and hierarchy—Fido does not wish to lose his position of favor with his owner and therefore, seeks his owner’s approval. A... Continue reading

Dawn Watson | CNBNewsnet GLOUCESTER CITY NJ (November 5,2018)(CNBNewsnet)-- Anyone that knows me can gauge what I’m watching on television by the way I look and act—I follow the lead of the season premieres of my favorite shows. As an avid fan of Survivor, you’re likely to find me buying coconuts at the ShopRite dressed in a sarong or a blouse that hides a bathing suit top. Family sitcoms have me dressed casually and being sarcastic but when viewing Dancing with the Stars you’re liable to see me walking my dogs with sparkles on my face and a pair of... Continue reading

Dawn Watson/Cnbnewsnet I have often witnessed puppies that, due to unfortunate circumstances, are abandoned immediately or shortly after birth.These puppies need special care if they are to survive. Not only do very young puppies need to be fed every two or three hours but they also need to understand social cues and proper behavior. From the moment of birth, a puppy's mother teaches her baby how to get along with litter-mates, how to be assertive, and the importance of hierarchy. A dog that is removed from the litter may suffer life-long emotional and social damage. He may be unable to... Continue reading