When someone has a very problematic dog, I (the dog trainer) am usually the last person to know. But when I finally do hear about it, I encounter a lot of human frustration: someone at their wits' end because their dog has destroyed an expensive sofa, shredded a mattress, or uninstalled some linoleum; or someone who is feeling angry and betrayed because their dog bit them or a family member.

Animal Family Veterinary Hospital in Commerce City, Colorado, is having a community appreciation event on August 6th. There will be a tour of the facility and free food and drinks. Adams County Animal Shelter will have their mobile adoption center set up, and FetchMasters will be there with a demo dog on hand to answer any dog training and canine behavior questions you may have.

Bring your kids along too! Have them bring an injured stuffed animal so they can learn how to bandage it. There will also be face painting.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and Britain. However, because of their popularity with backyard breeders and a lack of emphasis on quality dog training, they often are abandoned or relinquished to shelters. Labs were originally bred to help fishermen pull up their nets and catch stray fish.

...that is the question! And it can be a confusing one to answer. While many prospective dog-wanters at least consider adopting, they sometimes have legitimate concerns.