Did you know that your choice of canine can say a lot about you? Your Inner Dog provides a humorous, lighthearted look at how pet parents compare to their dogs. Best traits, career, leisure, fashion musts, food faves, significant others, and pet peeves are just some of the things your dog’s breed can reveal about you. Corgi owners, we want to know: Does this breed personality and character profile match your own?
 

Personality and Character

 
Optimistic, intelligent, loyal, and unique, Pembroke people have a regal air all their own, just like Queen Elizabeth of England, who is the world’s most famous Corgi breeder.
 
You have a high sense of justice—in fact, you always take the side of those who are wronged. Indeed, you Pembroke people are known for your gallantry, patriotism, and love of honor. You like to be the center of attention, and you sometimes lack humility.
 
You are also a bit of a gossip, which has gotten you into trouble (more than once). Sometimes you have too rigid a commitment to the rules of society.
 
You have high expectations for your family members, although sadly, most of your relatives do not live up to them. It’s not really their fault, though. Times have changed, so it would be wise to be less critical. You have great emotional balance.
 
*Excerpt from Your Inner Dog: Discover What Your Favorite Breed Says About You by Diane Morgan
 
To discover more about what a dog’s personality profile says about you or your friends, find Your Inner Dog on Kindle or Nook.
 
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Now that the weather has become warmer and the days are getting longer, it’s baseball season! And unlike most other sports, Major League Baseball welcomes dogs to attend select games around the country.

If you’d like to bring your dog to the ballpark, first determine if he’s ready by answering the following questions:

• Is my dog well socialized? If so, he should get along well with other dogs and people, and crowds should not frighten him.
• Is my dog leash trained? A leashed-trained dog does not pull at the lead or lunge at other dogs or people.
• Is my dog okay with loud noises? Baseball games can be rowdy events, so dogs who attend should not be sound sensitive.

If you’ve answered the previous questions in the affirmative, you’re almost there! To ensure your dog’s safety—and the well-being of other spectators—while at the ballpark:

• Use a 4- to 6-foot leather or nylon leash to help keep him under control around other people and their dogs.
• Bring along plenty of fresh water to keep him hydrated.
• Apply sunscreen to protect him from sunburn; light-colored and shorthaired dogs are especially prone to sunburn.
• Watch carefully for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting.
• Take frequent potty breaks, and dispose of waste properly.
• Keep him from eating inappropriate items, such as human food debris.
• Never leave him unattended.
• Reward him for good behavior with treats, like Nylabones.

Even with just a team of two, you and your dog can hit a home run at the ballpark when you make safety a priority! Here is a listing of 2012 Major League Baseball Dog-Friendly Events

Dog parks allow unleashed animals to romp and play in the open air not only with their owners but also with other dogs. Visiting the dog park can be a fun experience as long as it is filled with well-socialized dogs and dog-savvy owners. The best parks are large enough to allow unlimited running but are also strongly fenced to prevent overexcited dogs from dashing away, even if previously recall-perfect. However, the park can be dangerous (and unhealthy) if owners do not supervise their charges or pick up after them carefully. (Fortunately, many do provide poop bags!) For a partial list of parks around the country, visit the Nylabone dog park locator.

Your dog’s first few experiences at a dog park are extremely important. If he’s attacked or even hit accidentally by another dog, he won’t easily forget it. This means that you must be very careful. A popular dog park can be like a popular playground or soccer field—the fun can get out of control quickly, and someone could get hurt. It needs “yard monitors,” and often dog owners don’t see themselves as such. Many people tend to stand in one area, letting the dogs play with abandon. However, it’s our responsibility to watch our dogs, to learn to recognize canine body language, and to stop problems before they become serous.

The following are some additional pointers on dog park etiquette:

• Make sure that your dog is healthy and current on all vaccinations and has any licenses required.
• Don’t bring more dogs than you can handle.
• Don’t allow your dog to engage in inappropriate behaviors, such as bullying/aggressive play, jumping on people, or excessive barking. If you are unable to control these behaviors, you and your dog should leave.
• Use your best judgment when it comes to other dogs. If you or your dog feels uncomfortable with another dog in the park, leave.
• Do not bring a female dog in heat. If you have an intact male, be sure that he is social and nonaggressive before bringing him to the park.
• Always clean up after your dog.
• Although it may sound like a good idea, leave your dog’s toys at home. Dogs can be very possessive over their toys, which could start a fight.

Adapted from Top Tips from Top Trainers (© TFH Publications, Inc. 2010) and Parenting Your Dog (© TFH Publications, Inc. and Trish King, 2004, 2010). Used by permission.

A dog birthday party is a great excuse to get your friends and family—and the dogs, of course—together for some fun! Here are some ideas for putting together a small birthday celebration for your furry friend.

Invitation

You don’t have to spend money on printing and postage; send out an invitation online through e-mail or Facebook instead. Get a cute photo of Fido and just add the details: who, what, when, where. If you’re really digitally inclined, Photoshop a birthday hat onto your dog for a festive invite!

Location

Spring, summer, and fall birthday parties are great because you can invite friends over for a backyard BBQ or to a local dog park, where the dogs can run around. When it’s too cold to hang out outside, consider having your dog’s birthday party at an indoor venue that’s tailored to his needs. Many indoor dog parks and “camps” allow all the dogs to run around and play together. You can even schedule some time at a beginners’ agility course for a small group of dogs—this is fun for both the pooches and their handlers.

Activities and Games

• Hide some toys and bones around the party and allow the dogs to take them home when they find them.
• Leave a couple of ropes with multiple ends around in case the dogs want to play tug-of-war.
• Have a contest of who can catch the Frisbee the most amount of times—winner gets to take the Nylabone Frisbee home.

Treats & Goodie Bags

It’s not a birthday party without some cake! You can either custom-order a dog-friendly cake or make your own with  these recipes. When the party starts to die down (i.e., the dogs fall asleep because they’ve had so much fun), send each owner home with a goodie bag full of edible bones & treats.

Keep in Mind

• Never take your eyes off the dogs!
• Always have plenty of cool water available.
• Make sure that all the dogs invited have had their shots.
• Keep any people food out of reach.
• Birthday hats are cute, but they can make dogs uncomfortable. If you want the birthday pup to feel special, tie a colorful ribbon around his collar. (Secure the ribbon so that it doesn’t catch on anything.)

Is your dog still going through the “puppy terrors,” or is he well behaved?

Even a well-behaved dog might get nervous around a scenery change and large crowds. Test out his socialization skills at a large family gathering before bringing him to the big day. Typically, a quiet, smaller dog will have an easier time acclimating than a larger, high-energy dog.

Will the dog frighten your guests?

Unbelievable as it may seem, not everyone is a dog lover. You may think slobbery kisses are adorable, but your cousin in her brand-new dress may not agree.

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

If you’re having an outdoor event, is it gated or secluded to keep your dog safe? If indoors, is the venue dog-friendly?

Will you leash your dog?

If so, who will be responsible for holding onto him throughout the wedding? The person should be someone both you and your dog trust. Some weddings run for several hours, so make sure that the person holding your dog has a conveniently located seat from which to take your dog for a walk if he gets restless.

Will your dog have a job?

Many people find it cute to enlist their dog as the ring bearer. This is a great way to include him in the wedding if he can behave well enough. Fasten the rings to the collar with a festive ribbon, and have someone walk him down the aisle. Just be sure to put the rings on right before he walks down the aisle or you risk losing them.
 
If your fur-baby is part of the wedding, pay him plenty of attention. Carry some treats around to reward his good behavior, and give your guests treats with which to reward him as well. Remind your guests that they should not feed your dog table food because it can make him sick. And always keep a bowl of fresh water close, especially for those hot summer outdoor weddings! It may be a good idea to prepare a package for your dog that includes his bed and favorite toys to provide a sense of comfort and security.
 
If you ultimately decide not to have your dog in the wedding, it’s not the end of the world. You can still have your photographer snap some photos of your family at home before the ceremony! Just be sure to find your pup a safe, comfortable place to stay while you’re gone for your wedding and honeymoon.    

Four-legged friends are now invited to join in on the fun at the ballpark! What dog doesn’t love a good major league baseball game? These events provide your furry companion with an exciting day out to meet other dogs in the area, and some of the teams even raise money for shelters and homeless dogs. Check out these great photos from previous “Bark in the Park” events. (Always bring plenty of water and shade to keep your dog comfortable outdoors during warmer temperature. Read up on Safety Tips for Bringing Your Dog to the Ballpark!

*Calendar from BreedTrust.com