Does a 'Puppy Fix' Cure the Stress of Studying?

On Wednesday, local rescue organization A Forever Home brought fifteen sweet, sweet puppies to visit students at George Mason University School of Law in Washington, D.C.  With finals approaching, the pups were brought in to help students decompress.

This is the GMU's second, though unofficial, "Puppy Day".  Fourteen little guys were also brought in before finals last April.  The start of a new tradition, perhaps?

Read more:

• Article and Video, The Washington Post
• Photo Gallery, The Washington Post

But George Mason isn't the first institute of higher learning to appreciate the value of puppy love.

• Monty, a Border Terrier mix, visited at the libarary of Yale Law School for a 3-day trial last spring.  He was available to be "borrowed" for 30 minute sessions.  The test run was apparently a success, and the university planned to bring Monty back again this season.
• The University of San Francisco also offered scheduled stress therapy visits in May. Four dogs from the SPCA Animal Assisted Therapy Program visited for four days during finals, and students could schedule 10-minute sessions with a dog in the TV room of the library.

Now to count down the time until my next puppy fix!

UPDATED 2:35PM:
Colleen Learch (also a fellow WOOFS! trainer!) let me know about a Live Q&A Conversation on this topic today on WashingtonPost.com. Colleen is an active volunteer with Lost Dog and Cat Rescue, and she hosted a chat titled: Can pets really lower your stress level? Dog trainer, rescuer discusses

Very cool, and thanks Colleen!

Happy Halloween!

These tricks are a real treat! (And after watching this, you might wonder if maybe your dog really IS plotting to take over...)



Thanks to Carrie at All Things Dog Blog for the find!

Do Try This at Home: Stay While Wiping Paws

This week's new Do Try This at Home is in honor of all of the rain and rain and rain we've been having. I don't know how it is at your house, but in my house, the floor easily becomes gritty with the mud dragged in on lots of dirty paws.

In weather like this, I am so grateful for my dog's that really know how to stay in a stand.  Watch the video below and imagine that Ebony is standing on white carpet.  From the time I start wiping her paws, she doesn't budge, so I would be able to clean all four paws before she starts dancing around the clean floor.



Can your dog stay still while you wipe their paws? Send us your photos, videos or stories! Leave them below or share at ShakespeareDogPark@gmail.com.

Silent Saturday: Hunting Caribou

How much wolf is still in your dog?  Watch out for the "gruesome conclusion" to this caribou hunt...



(Thanks to All Things Dog Blog for the find!)

Silent Saturday

Please don't ask whether I can relate to any of this:



Thanks to Karen Wild of Intellidogs for the find!

Go On Tour: Wags and Whiskers

Now that the weather is finally getting cooler (and drier!), this is a terrific weekend to get out and about with your dog!

Wags and Whiskers
Saturday, September 17 11am-4pm
Arlington, VA
Grab your dog on Saturday and head on over to Shirlington Village in Arlington!  Organizers promise over 30 exhibitors (WOOFS! Dog Training Center will have a booth), live music, pet adoptions, and free pet photos.  They also advertise a Trick or Treat Contest and lots of family fun.

After being rescheduled from its original date in the middle of Hurricane Irene, this weekend should be a beautiful, cool fall day -- perfect for the pups.  Shirlington Village is dog friendly on a typical day, so Saturday be a lot of fun.  Don't miss Dogma Bakery while you're there!

Olde Town Dogge Walke
Sunday September 25, 9-11am
Alexandria, VA
Register now for the 5th annual walk and help raise money for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.  With your $25 registration (or $40 on the day of the walk), you also get a walk t-shirt and bandana for your dog.  Better yet, form a team and raise additional money for the event.  There are even prizes for the top fundraisers!

If you attend either of these events, share your story or photos in the comments below, or e-mail us at ShakespeareDogPark@gmail.com!

A Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Hurricane. Flooding. Another Hurricane. A ceiling collapse. MAJOR non-canine project (gratitous plug -- check out the new Washington Post Ezra Klein's Wonkblog and Chris Cillizza's The Fix blogs!). Maybe you have similar craziness? Much as I have neglected you, my dear reader, the poor animals of my house have not been getting a whole lot of quality time the last few weeks.

As you probably know from your own experience, when your pets don't get exercise and attention, there are two problems.

• Problem #1: It is totally unfair to them.
• Problem #2: They have lots of spare time to sit around and plan ways to drive you crazy.

Okay, well, maybe they aren't actually planning how to make us crazy, but we all know that's what's going to happen. So today, some tips on what you can do, while busy and exhausted, to entertain your dogs and save your sanity.