We’ve all seen people do it. And, let’s be honest … We’ve all done it. Repeat commands, hoping it’ll work. Generally, it just erodes the word’s power. So much so that Patricia McConnell included a section subhead in one of the chapters of her books called something like … “Don’t repeat commands. Don’t repeat commands. Don’t repeat commands.” That still cracks me up. But, it is important to know what words we use with our dogs and what we expect them to mean. Enter the Command Log.

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The divorce rate and existence of on-again/off-again relationships says a lot about our collective intolerance of flaws in those we try to love. People like to talk about unconditional
love with pets, but I sometimes wonder just how unconditionally we return the favor. …

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Thanks to Arlene, who belongs to the Baggage Agility Yahoo Group, here’s a tip. Bed Bath & Beyond has some inexpensive soft-sidede crates for just $20. Sadly, they are kind of
small, so it won’t work for Lilly, but if you have a smallish dog, check it out. Here’s a link to the website. …

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Since when is every public place a zoom zone for kids? Not to date myself, but back in my day we played in our neighborhood, and outings to malls, farmer’s markets and the like were
something altogether different. My mom would have never allowed errands to be playtime. Clearly, I notice it more because Lilly reacts to fast-moving objects, but it seems like everywhere we go there
are kids zooming by on skateboards, scooters and those wheelie shoes. It’s enough to put an anxious dog over the edge. …

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People often tell me that Lilly is lucky to have me. They believe that the average dog owner would have given up on her after just a few panic attacks. They also believe (dare I say,
know) that experienced handlers would have rehomed or retired her and began again with another dog. And, at least, one handler teased me this week that perhaps I’m the one in need of drugs (as in,
you crazy lady for still trying to get this nutty dog back to performance status). Maybe they’re all right. …

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I often find myself at my desk, working away, until a commotion outside gets my attention. It usually starts with catching a black streak out the window in my peripheral vision. Then,
the noise hits me. Oh, is there barking? Indeed there is. So, I stop what I’m doing and go see what exactly has Lilly’s attention this time. Last week, it was cows. …

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I mentioned a few weeks ago the birth of a litter of sheltie pups. They’re being raised by my friend and trainer Joy Bishop, who bred her boy Keen to a sweetie named Dash. I promised
photos, so here they are. All of them already have families, with handlers anxiously awaiting their arrival home. If you are one of them and want to tell us about your pack and your plans for baby,
please feel free to post a comment. …

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