by Lindsay Stordahl on January 17th, 2010
32 Comments »
The Fargo City Commission unanimously voted to update our city’s dog and cat ordinance to put stricter punishments and responsibilities on the owners of ”dangerous” dogs or “potentially dangerous” dogs. Thankfully, this ordinance will not include breed specific regulations or bans on certain breeds of dogs. Instead, it will hold all dog owners to the same standards. Banning or regulat ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on November 24th, 2009
24 Comments »
A Jack Russell terrier type dog (not pictured) was euthanized in a local pound last week because of his extremely aggressive behavior, according to 4LuvofDog.com, a Fargo dog rescue. Because of the dog’s aggression, he was considered by the pound to be ”unadoptable.” My immediate reaction was shock. Was there really no one in the area capable of helping this dog? How can a group call themselves a r ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on June 15th, 2009
18 Comments »
Two dog-training factors include socializing a dog and exercising a dog. Basic commands such as sit, stay, down, come and heel are necessary, but so is having a socialized dog. Too many people buy dogs and then refuse to spend any money on training. There are two reasons for this. Either the person truly can’t afford the $50 for a basic obedience class, or the person already spent hundreds on the dog so another ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on May 7th, 2009
16 Comments »
A few months ago I took a dog to an adoption event. The dog I handled was an American pit bull terrier named Jesse. I was careful when introducing him to new dogs, because we weren’t sure how he would do. Jesse is pictured below and is up for adoption. He was a very good boy at the adoption event and did not cause any problems. Still, I was amazed by how careless some people were when introducing their pets to ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on April 21st, 2009
13 Comments »
I often refer to the field behind our townhouse as our backyard. Really, we live right on the edge of a city-owned soccer field. My mutt Ace and I had this field all to ourselves from November through March. But now that it’s warmer, dozens of people run in that field each day. We have a large, glass patio door that looks out onto the field. Ace has started barking every time kids, dogs, runners or soccer playe ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on April 16th, 2009
11 Comments »
Yesterday was the first bike ride of the season for my mutt and I (finally). We picked right up as though we hadn’t missed a day. I went slowly of course, barely above our running pace so Ace didn’t have to break into a run. When we got to a park I let him off leash and allowed him to sprint after me if he wanted. He took on my challenge and raced across the field remaining at my side no matter how fast I ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on March 30th, 2009
15 Comments »
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I believe the average adult can handle and care for a dog properly. Even if it’s their first dog, most people can put two and two together and figure out how to train and exercise a dog. If not, they can pick up a book or take an obedience class. If someone asks for my advice, I give it. If not, I keep to myself (and blog about it later). But every once in awhile ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on March 6th, 2009
13 Comments »
My mutt Ace has become much more vocal and excited during agility practice within the last six months. He barks wildly nonstop, as you can see in the video below. Watch it on mute if you don’t want to be totally annoyed. I haven’t addressed Ace’s “talking back” issue until now because I don’t know how to handle the problem. In the meantime, his “attitude” has gotten wor ...
by Lindsay Stordahl on May 21st, 2008
11 Comments »
I don’t have my own kids (just a needy mutt and a very prissy cat), but I bring up the issue of children and dogs because there are so many preschool and grade school aged kids in my apartment complex. They have no fear or respect for animals. They obviously have dogs of their own and run up to any dog, sticking their faces in the dog’s face. According to dogbitelaw.com, 77 percent of dog-bite injuries t ...