training

Pet Training 101; learn how to teach your dog or cat everything from the essential commands to party tricks.

My Dog Barks Every Night - Should I Be Worried?
Every night follows a similar pattern. The house is settled. The lights are turned off. The outside world is falling silent. Just when sleep feels close enough to touch, my dog starts barking.
By Paw Planet 9 months ago in Petlife
Why Does Your Dog Ignore the Come Command and How to Fix It
You are standing at the dog park, leash in hand, already late. Your dog is twenty feet away, nose glued to the ground. You call their name. Nothing. You try again, louder this time. A few people glance over. Your dog looks up, considers you for half a second, then goes right back to sniffing. If you have ever felt your face get hot while calling your dog over and over, you are in familiar territory.
By Aleksandar Mishkov9 months ago in Petlife
Cleo's First Puppy Show. Top Story - January 2026.
"How would you feel about doing the Corsicana show in November?" Kathleen asked me last September. Dog exhibitors speak in shorthand that way. It's easier to say "the Corsicana show" than it is to say the "North East Texas American Eskimo Dog Association Show." And yes, "North East." I guess "Northeast" shortened the name too much for some people's taste . . . But I digress. In response, I asked two of the three important questions that every exhibitor thinks, first thing.
By Kimberly J Egan10 months ago in Petlife
What Does it Mean to be a "Preservation Breeder?"
When I first started "in dogs" back in late 1999, I had a goal. I was looking into "good" Toy Fox Terrier breeders, who at least talked a good game about health testing (which involved hearing, eye, and patella exams!) and who had show dogs in the first three generations of their puppies' pedigrees. I had a specific dog in my mind's eye: a white and tan male with a solid-colored head. That was it. I had no other criteria. I just wanted a dog that bore no resemblance to my little Oma, who had been poisoned--while in my own yard--by a neighbor earlier in the year. I knew that Oma had seeded the love for the breed so deeply that I wanted to help the breed continue into a prosperous future. I wanted to breed and to show and to compete with Toy Fox Terriers.
By Kimberly J Egan10 months ago in Petlife
The Gentle Agreement. AI-Generated.
When people say cats are distant, Lena usually smiles and lets it pass. She knows better. Anyone who has shared a home with a cat understands that the relationship is not loud or obvious. It is quiet. Subtle. Built on small rituals and unspoken agreements.
By George Evan10 months ago in Petlife
The Quiet Comfort. AI-Generated.
Every evening, Sarah would sit on the edge of her couch, laptop balanced on her knees, staring at the blinking cursor that refused to move. Words, once easy, now felt heavy, like they were trapped somewhere between her thoughts and her fingers. She let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples. The silence of the apartment pressed in around her, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator.
By George Evan10 months ago in Petlife
Cats vs Dogs: Interesting Facts About Their Differences
**Introduction: Cats or Dogs – Which One Wins Your Heart?** For centuries, humans have shared their homes with **cats and dogs**, two of the most popular pets worldwide. Both animals bring love, companionship, and joy, but they are very different in their behavior, needs, and personalities. Understanding these differences can help you decide which pet fits your lifestyle — or just give you fun facts to appreciate both!
By Kashif Wazirabout a year ago in Petlife
The Extraordinary Smelling Power of Dogs: How Their Noses Outperform Science
Dogs see the world through their noses. What humans can only guess, dogs can smell with remarkable precision. From tracking lost people to detecting diseases, their sense of smell is one of nature’s greatest wonders. But what gives dogs such an exceptional ability to detect and distinguish scents? Let’s explore the fascinating science behind their powerful noses.
By Farhanabout a year ago in Petlife
An Open Letter to Minister Joanne Thompson: Save Canada’s 30 Beluga Whales from a Needless Death
To the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, We, as concerned citizens, zoo patrons, scientists, zoo professionals, and advocates, are writing to you today with deep concern for the thirty beluga whales currently in an uncertain situation at Marineland Canada. With the facility now closed to the public and facing financial collapse, the fate of these animals rests entirely on the actions of your office.
By Jenna Deedyabout a year ago in Petlife
Training Your Dogs and Cats. AI-Generated.
Training pets is one of the most rewarding experiences for any animal lover. Whether you’re a first-time pet parent or have years of experience, teaching your dogs and cats the right behaviors can make your home happier, calmer, and more enjoyable. Many people think training is only for dogs, but the truth is cats can also learn and respond well if you use the right approach. Let’s explore how you can train both dogs and cats, step by step.
By Wan Nur Emieldaabout a year ago in Petlife
Maanu the Cat and the City That Turned Into a Jungle
Maanu the Cat and the City of Humans BY: Ubaid My name is Maanu the Cat, and for the past few days, I have left the jungle behind to explore life in the city. You may ask, why? Because I never liked jungle life much. But oh dear! Right now, my stomach is growling so loudly that it feels like a whole army of rats has died in there. As I wandered through the streets, my eyes caught sight of a butcher’s shop. Perfect, I thought, maybe I’ll find something to eat there. But what I saw and heard made my fur stand on end. The butcher was mixing fresh meat with spoiled meat. His young helper, worried, said softly, “Master, if you do this, people will fall sick.” The butcher turned and slapped the boy hard across the face. “Why do you care if they get sick? People are already dying. If not from this, then from the coronavirus or something else. What difference does it make if a few more die?” I was horrified. My whiskers trembled, and without a second thought, I ran away from that place. As I continued along the road, I noticed an old woman struggling to cross the street. She muttered desperately, “Oh God, how will I reach the doctor? How will I pay his fees to save my child’s life?” Cars were parked everywhere in the wrong places, blocking her way. But her motherly love gave her courage. Somehow, she managed to cross, though in the process she brought traffic to a halt. Angry drivers hurled insults at her, and cars swerved dangerously. My tail flicked nervously as I realized—here in the city, patience and kindness seemed to have vanished. Just then, another cat appeared before me, carrying a large piece of meat in her mouth. She came closer and spoke warmly, “Hey sister cat, you look new here.” I nodded shyly. “Well, then you’re our guest! Hungry? Take this piece of meat.” I hesitated. “But you brought it for yourself.” She laughed and said, “If we don’t look after each other, then who will? Even cats must live by loyalty.” Her kindness filled my heart with warmth. I devoured the food, grateful beyond words. After eating, I decided to take a walk to clear my mind. Soon I came across a young boy, his clothes torn and dirty. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he whispered, “Mother, I’m so hungry.” My heart ached. I thought, Don’t worry, child. That man at the burger stall will give you something to eat. But what happened next shook me to the core. Instead of compassion, the stall owner slapped the boy repeatedly. “Get lost! Go die with your parents if you’re hungry. Don’t bother me!” he shouted cruelly. The little boy ran away, sobbing in a way that pierced my soul. I had always heard that humans were creatures of love and kindness. But here, I was seeing the opposite. As I walked further, I suddenly heard gunshots. Screams filled the air. People cried out, “They’ve killed everyone! No one was spared!” Later, I learned that unknown attackers had opened fire in the marketplace, killing innocent people before escaping. My paws froze. How can humans kill each other so mercilessly? Back in the jungle, every animal—though wild—respected the balance of life. Yes, we hunt to eat, but we do not kill out of hatred. Here, in this city built by humans, I saw hearts harder than stone. I remembered my mother’s words: “If love disappears from the human heart, it becomes a wild beast. True cities are built not with bricks and roads but with compassion and kindness.” Looking around at the bloodshed, the cruelty, and the selfishness, I realized something shocking—this so-called “city” was more of a jungle than the one I had left behind. And my jungle, where animals shared and lived in balance, was more like a real city—a place of harmony and care. So, with heavy steps, I turned back toward my true home, the jungle. Before leaving, I wanted to leave a message for the humans I had observed: “Dear humans, this is a wake-up call. Your nation, your society, your very future is in danger—not because of natural disasters, not because of animals, but because of the lack of love in your own hearts. If you want peace and happiness, start by spreading love. Care for the hungry child, respect the elderly, speak the truth in your trade, and protect one another. Only then will your cities truly shine as cities, not jungles.” And with that, I padded away into the forest, carrying both sadness and hope in my heart. Because love—only love—can heal.
By Ubaid about a year ago in Petlife
Welcome home, Buddy!
Nota Bene: At no time in this blog am I implying that his breeder did anything wrong with Val/Valen/Buddy. He was not abused in any way, shape, or form. Looking at his history, he was a happy, loved, and well-cared-for dog who was simply removed from his safe environment when he was an adult. That can be VERY scary for any dog. Something spooked him when the inciting incident occurred. What it was, we will never know--dogs don't perceive things the same way that people do. I am only sharing his story because I'm so very proud of how he has progressed. The breeder is to be commended for a program that produced such a resilient dog.
By Kimberly J Eganabout a year ago in Petlife