by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Pedigree dogs registered with the AKC are often given fancy names which are then shortened for ease of pronunciation. Picking out your pet's name or nickname is an important part of the ongoing bonding process between you. Dogs can process one or two syllables together, so if you give him a nickname, make it a short one. And try not to negatively label him by giving him a name that means something derogatory. The name by which your dog is known can influence how people reflect upon him. For example, I once heard of a dog named, "Stinky". Although he wasn't (stinky), the label earned him a bad reputation and consequently people did not act as friendly toward him. Likewise, a... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Because summer is in full swing I thought the timely repeat of this article would help those celebrating the season with picnics & graduation parties! I was once invited to a friend’s home for dinner and got the feeling I was intruding on her pets’ plans for the evening. Now, I am a die-hard “animal person”; I love animals of all types and base my life around my pets’ needs. However, if I am serving dinner for guests I try to be sensitive to certain human rights issues. Here are several examples of how to make your meal fit for consumption: If you have to skim cat hair out of the gravy it’s probably not edible If you can smell Fido’s... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson cnbnews.net Have you noticed that folks don’t drop by to visit as much, lately? And, on the rare occasions that they do, they seem a little bit nervous? If the answer to these questions is yes, perhaps it’s because your dog needs a bit of training! Untrained dogs may greet visitors by jumping, barking, pawing, and otherwise exhibiting unruly behavior, putting the guest at risk of injury or discomfort. The cure to this situation takes time and patience but the end result is well worth the effort. First, leash Fido as soon as your visitor knocks or rings the doorbell. Use the “sit” command and insist that the dog stay in position long enough for the guest to enter. When the guest... Continue reading

(cnbnews.net) Brother of the Wolf is again offering its popular beginner’s obedience class beginning Saturday, June 30th at 11 AM. WolfPup Academy will teach your pup how to sit, walk politely on-leash, & eagerly respond to your commands. The class meets every Saturday for 1 hour. Tuition is $20 per class, per dog. Space is limited. Brother of the Wolf offers scholarships to those in need through the Gary DuBrey Scholarship Fund. Call 856.981.8957 or email brotherofthewolf@comcast.net to enroll or for more information. Related articles Pet Tip of the Week: Stepping Up to the Plate (cnbnews.net) (gloucestercitynews.net) Learn What Your Dog Is Thinking! (cnbnews.net) (gloucestercitynews.net) Pet Tip of the Week: Dogs Gone Wild (CNBnews.net) (gloucestercitynews.net) Pet Tip of the Week: Buckle up!(cnbnews.net) (gloucestercitynews.net) Dog Training... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) The following excerpt was taken from CBSPhilly and written by David Madden. “Click it or ticket. It’s not just for people anymore — at least in the Garden State. Police and animal control officers are authorized to cite drivers with unrestrained animals in the car. Yes, that includes the back of a pickup truck too. Violators can be fined $250 to $1,000 per offense. Ray Martinez, head of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, just wants to avoid distracted driving. “People are actually driving with a dog or a cat on their laps. It’s not cute. It’s actually dangerous for the driver. It’s dangerous for other drivers and it’s dangerous for that pet.” Dogs can be placed in harnesses that click... Continue reading

(cnbnews.net) Brother of the Wolf, Gloucester City's school of dog training, announces that its most popular seminar is once again being offered. The program, entitled Canine Body Language Interpretation will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 1 PM. Seating is extremely limited. This is a credentialing seminar. Tuition is $25 per seat. Residents of Gloucester City receive a $10 discount, lowering the cost to $15. Pre-enrollment is required by emailing brotherofthewolf@comcast.net by Saturday, June 9. Tuition includes print-outs and hands-on interaction. related Pet Tips Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Some dogs need to be groomed, (have their hair cut) regularly. Other breeds, whose hair or fur only grows to one length and then stops growing, should not be shaved, according to professionals. Huskies, for example, have coats that provide insulation against extreme temperatures. Their fur consists of two coats which regulate the amount of heat and cold that penetrates the dog’s skin. According to Shannon Heggem, a professional groomer and canine expert, shaving dogs that shed can permanently change the way their coats grow in. It can also lead to sunburn and heat stroke, as the resultant exposed skin is unaccustomed to the elements. Clipper alopecia is another condition resulting from shaving a shedding dog, leaving large areas that will... Continue reading

(cnbnews.net) Announcement has been made of the engagement of Dana T. Lionetti and Stephen T. Malloy. They reside in Gloucester City. Miss Lionetti is the daughter of Anthony Lionetti and Dawn Watson and the late Daniel Watson. A 2013 wedding is planned. Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net)Summer holidays are always fun! Whether you are busy planning a party or looking forward to attending one make sure that your dog will be safe by doing the following: If you are planning a party, make sure Fido has food, water, and a safe place to sleep away from the excitement of your guests. Some dogs become easily over stimulated and exhibit bad behavior because of stress. If you will be entertaining outside and Fido is in the house, put food out-of-reach so that he doesn’t create havoc while you are out celebrating. If you are planning to leave the house for more than eight hours, make sure Fido can get outside to relieve himself! Ask a neighbor to help or... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) A rose can bloom, even in an ancient garden. Recently, I reconnected with a fellow I’d known in my youth. Back then, we had quite the torrid love affair, even lived together during the 70’s when such a thing was frowned upon, which made it even spicier, you’d better believe it. We were the talk of the town, even if it was only Allentown. After reaching out to his daughter on Facebook, and finding out that he, too was widowed, we exchanged phone numbers and he called. Even though we had not spoken for 32 years, his voice was the same and so was his attitude. We arranged to meet the next day. Oh, the jangling nerves, the acne breakout, the... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Spring has sprung, the grass is high, lock your dog in the car and say bye-bye! No matter how many times we read about a pet suffocating because the owner left him in the car “for a minute” we still need to talk about it. According to PETA, (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), “Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car—even for "just a minute"—while they run an errand. Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 to 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) One of the biggest decisions you will have to make in your pets’ lives is whether to spay (female) or neuter (male) them. We all know about the overpopulation of domestic animals and early spay/neuter programs have become fashionable. According to veterinarian Dick Rosebrock of the American Humane Association, “The research available on the physical, behavioral, short and long-term effects of prepubescent neutering in dogs and cats shows no adverse results. Based on this information, the American Humane Association supports this practice as a feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths. Early sterilization practices are also endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association.” Many people,... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) The following is a repeat of popular topic. The scratching is driving you nuts—you’re embarrassed to tell anyone and there are so many products on the market that you’re confused. Welcome to Flea Season! The flea cycle is composed of 4 elements: the egg, the larva, the pupa, and the adult flea, which can live for about 4-6 weeks depending on the environment. They are vampires, these little buggers, and, along with their sister-parasite, the tick can literally suck all the blood out of its host in a matter of weeks. The itching/scratching cycle occurs as the flea bites the host and causes a chemical reaction. Topical treatments are distributed in the dog's natural skin oils and work to kill adult... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) We all know that the rabies vaccine is required for dogs in most cities. Recently, there has been a debate among professionals about whether the vaccine to prevent Bordetella (kennel cough) is necessary. The Merck Veterinary manual, a source of information for veterinarians, says that “Infectious tracheobronchitis is a mild self-limiting disease that results in inflammation of the upper airways transmitted by air and caused possibly but not surely by several different viruses, mainly Parainfluenza virus and also by a bacteria – Bordetella Bronchiseptica, however, the exact cause may vary.” The Merck Veterinary Manual also states that: “This condition would rarely lead to complications or death only in animals with a weakened immune system. In summary, kennel cough is not much... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) In my career as a professional dog trainer I have helped many dogs that have developed some very unpleasant habits. Sometimes, these habits escalate into aggressive behavior. Since aggression is defined as the intent to do harm, behaviorists have developed another term to explain defensive behavior without intent to cause injury. We use the term, reactive, to indicate behavior that is the result of sensory overload or negative reactions to outside stimuli. One example of this behavior is the dog that is fearful and snaps at strangers. Chances are he doesn’t intend to hurt anyone—he perceives a threat and reacts to it. If you have a dog that fits this description he CAN be helped with proper training. Just make sure... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) When is the best time to train your dog? The answer is NOW. Dog training should be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 1 second at a time. For example, if Fido is lying down, telling him, “Good down!” will let him know that something he is doing is pleasing you. He may not know what that “thing” is, but when you eventually get to the command, “Down”, a light bulb may go on and Fido will associate the word with the previous activity and resultant praise. Don’t set up a schedule for training your dog—do it constantly! “Sit” means “please”, so if your dog is going to get a treat, go for a walk, or otherwise be... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Most of us have been faced with a pet’s illness. Dogs and cats get sick; it’s a part of life, just as it is for human beings. However, Fido and Tabby aren’t able to verbalize how they are feeling and so it’s up to us to pinpoint when to head to the veterinarian. Take note of how much (or how little) a pet is eating. If he has eaten little in a 24 hour period it’s time to question his health. If he is exhibiting excessive drooling, panting, or has diarrhea, get him to the doctor quickly—he may have ingested poison or be suffering from a contagious disease. Alert your veterinarian to the symptoms; it’s possible that the pet will have... Continue reading

posting courtesy of Brother of the Wolf, LLC (cnbnews.net) Camden County Animal Shelter will hold a Charity Bake-Off event on June 16. Admission is free and live music will be provided all day. For a fee of $10.00 you can register to enter the bake-off. More information can be found on: www.facebook.com/#!/GregapaloozaEvent Just click on Vendor and Activities link on the homepage or download the attachment for the form. Hope to see you there with some great baked goods! Wado, udohiyu, (thank you very much, in the Cherokee language) Dawn Watson Brother of the Wolf, LLC 700 Market St, Gloucester City NJ 08030 Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (CNBNEWS.NET)- You’ve seen it happen—a dog owner walks his dog past you and gives a sharp tug on the leash, causing the collar to choke the dog. Or perhaps, he smacks the dog on the nose, trying to ‘correct’ the dog’s behavior. Do you avert your eyes indifferently or do you intervene on the dog’s behalf? Some scientists agree that dogs are descended from wolves. Based on that assumption, it is clear that these once-majestic creatures have been changed throughout time until they can no longer care for themselves. They have become domesticated to the point where some breeds cannot even forage for food or survive the elements without human intervention. We did this to them. Thus, we are responsible for their... Continue reading

(cnbnews.net) Brother of the Wolf, LLC, located at 700 Market Street in Gloucester City, is once again offering its most popular class to celebrate spring! Call of the Wild Adventure is a 4-session series that combines socialization, basic obedience, and exercise at nearby parks. “The dogs learn how to respond appropriately in many different situations—they are introduced to joggers, children, over-eager strangers, etc,” said Dawn Watson, the school’s owner and lead trainer. “Even very shy or reactive dogs will benefit from this class,” she adds. The class, which begins at 11 AM on A pril 14, meets at a different location each week. The tuition is $20 per class and registration is required. Take one class or take all four in the series and your... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (CNBNEWS.NET)- This week’s topic is a repeat of a critical issue that continues to surface throughout the U.S. Since you are reading this article it’s safe to assume you are an on-line consumer. As such, you may be experienced with Internet-based purchasing, perhaps even when it involves purchasing a pet. While I am personally in favor of adoption over purchase when it comes to man’s best friend, I would like to stress some precautions if you choose to purchase a dog over the Internet. Scams are rampant on the ‘net—unscrupulous individuals are anxious to play the part of a breeder or a dog owner in search of an investor. Be savvy about folks coming from abroad. The Gold Coast, Russia, and Malaysia,... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Things are always changing. We get a new job, get fired, get married, get divorced, or are challenged in a hundred different ways. That’s life. But, what about Fido? Your pets ‘feel’ changes and can react to them either negatively or positively, depending upon how they are presented. For example, if you are moving from a large home to a small apartment, spending more time walking Fido can ease his transition and make the move a positive change, for him. While losing a job can be a serious emotional and financial set-back for your family, it may allow you to spend more time with your pets until you find that perfect, rewarding career! If you are facing a change in your... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) Recently, a young woman from Gloucester City lost her dog in a tragic accident. Many of us wanted to reach out to this young lady but could not find the words to express our condolences. When a human dies we are told to say, "I'm sorry for your loss", or, "He is in a better place". Does the same apply when an individual mourns the loss of a pet? Of course, the loss of a pet is not the same as losing a human family member. But often, when a furry or feathered companion passes away, the grief we feel is as great as if a member of our family has succumbed. Reaching out to a friend that has lost a... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) I was once invited to a friend’s home for dinner and got the feeling I was intruding on her pets’ plans for the evening. Now, I am a die-hard “animal person”; I love animals of all types and base my life around my pets’ needs. However, if I am serving dinner for guests I try to be sensitive to certain human rights issues. Here are several examples of how to make your meal fit for consumption: If you have to skim cat hair out of the gravy it’s probably not edible If you can smell Fido’s breath he’s probably too close to the table Guests would probably rather not fight your ferret for the foie gras Your pot-bellied pig should probably... Continue reading

by Dawn Watson (cnbnews.net) It’s been a very mild winter and soon, it will be spring. Fido will be rarin’ to go outside to smell the flowers, roll in the grass, and generally enjoy life. It’s wise to remember that many female dogs go into heat in early spring and that male dogs show increased awareness of that fact. In addition, those fleas that were dormant in the winter will now come to life, again and drive animals and humans crazy! When warmer weather comes, your pets will have much more energy and be eager to walk, run, and play outdoors. By making sure that they are spayed, neutered, and well supervised you are guaranteeing them a joyous spring time! Wado, udohiyu, (thank you very... Continue reading