Roscoe n Stella

The post Why Ned & Fred Have Ruined Me For Other Pets by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.

You know those annoying parents who just won’t shut up about their kids? Their profile pictures are of their kids, they’re always showing you photos and videos of their kids, and they assume that everyone is as interested and excited about their kids’ daily lives as they are. Ugh, they are just the worst. And I am one of them…but my kids happen to be two Chihuahuas named Ned and Fred.

• aka Neddy & Freddy
• aka The Boyz
• aka Nederick and Frederick
• aka Helpless Ned and Broken Fred

I can finally appreciate how parents feel stressed and worried whenever they are away from their children, and can almost understand why Mr & Mrs Brady ditched their honeymoon because they missed the kids (I can almost understand, I’m not a complete psychopath).

How My Love (Obsession?) With Chihuahuas Began

When Potato (Tate), the amazing little rescue dog, joined our family in 2021, he changed our lives and introduced us to the quirky world of Chihuahuas. Sadly, Tate’s time with us was short, and he passed away in the Christmas of 2022, leaving behind a hole in my heart far greater than his physical size.

In my grief, I found a tiny (and I do mean tiny) glimmer of joy called Ned. Weighing just over one pound, this tiny creature transformed our home with his antics, affection, and helplessness. He endeared himself to anyone he met and immediately took over Tate’s role as Kodah, the Malinois x Shepherd’s, boss and playmate.

Once we’d gone through the period of crate training him overnight – something I recommend all puppy owners implement, as it ensures your little one learns to settle on their own, understands that the world doesn’t end when we leave them, and makes toilet training much easier – he migrated to our bed where he nestles against my chest all night.

Not long after Ned joined us, we learned that his cousin was in need of a home, so one chi quickly became two. Poor Kodah never knew what hit him!

Ned & Fred – Eating, Sleeping, or Up To Something

When Ned and Fred are together, adorable chaos is not far away. These boys sleep hard, eat big, and play, yip, wrestle, and chase like they are being driven by a nuclear power plant. What they lack in physical size, they more than make up for with their individual quirks, enormous personalities, and inexhaustible affection.

When they’re not burrowing under blankets in search of the perfect snooze spot, or begging for food in the kitchen, they are trying their best to create mischief and mayhem, but luckily for us, everything they do is on a very small scale.

Chihuahuas Are Small

Did you know?

Chihuahuas are small, and Ned is particularly tiny. That means everything about them (apart from the noise they can make!) is also small.

• Space requirements – small
• Food bills – small
• Insurance premiums – small
• Capacity for damage – small
• Poops – small
• Shedding level – small
• Exercise requirements – small

Even when they have accidents indoors (which, unfortunately, is one thing these tiny beasts are renowned for), it’s hard to stay mad at such a tiny nugget. What can be problematic, however, is when you find yourself in need of a good enzymatic cleaner to deal with the accumulation of tiny indoor pees that have gone unnoticed. And yet, I can never stay mad at their little faces!

Chihuahuas Are Needy

Ask anyone who has known me for more than ten years and they will tell you that I am a cat person; one that loves dogs but will always have cats. Of course, now I have five of each – living the dream!

One of the things I’ve always liked about cats is that they are low maintenance when compared to dogs. They don’t need to be let out to the toilet, they don’t need to be walked every day, and they don’t jump up and get in your face when they want attention.

But the independent nature of cats can sometimes make you feel surplus to requirement. A Chihuahua, on the other hand, always seems to be in need of help! Being picked up and carried around is not just welcomed, it is often demanded, and you know that they would not fare too well without you.

Constantly Entertained, Loved, and Needed

Not a day goes by when I don’t find myself losing time just gazing at a sleeping Ned and Fred, or laughing as they run amok. Not a day goes by when I don’t feel loved and needed by them. And not a day goes by that I don’t feel incredibly grateful that Tate needed a home, and showed me what I had been missing. No matter where I go or what I do in the future, I know that I will do it with a Chihuahua by my side.

What about you? Is there a pet that has changed your life like Potato, Ned & Fred have changed mine? Let me know in the comments section below.

The post Why Ned & Fred Have Ruined Me For Other Pets by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post How To Train a Great Pyrenees: 10 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

In many ways, the Great Pyrenees embodies all we love in our canine companions. They’re protective yet patient, calm and pensive, with a benevolent, loving personality that makes these gentle giants too easy to love. Finding fault isn’t easy with this admirable breed, but if there’s one struggle many owners underestimate, it’s training.

Pyrs aren’t dominating or unruly, but their independence can easily lead to owner frustration while training. If you’re wondering how to train your dog to become the obedient, outgoing pet you desire, we’ll make the process as straightforward as possible with these ten tips and tricks for training a Great Pyrenees.

How to Train a Great Pyrenees

1. Be Persistently Patient and Positive

New Great Pyrenees owners must relax their expectations for obedience for their sake and their dogs’. Pyrs are intelligent, but not in the sense they’ll quickly learn tricks and new commands. They’re thoughtful, often weighing outcomes and typically acting on what they decide is best.

It’s easy to get frustrated at this stubbornness if you previously had obedient pets. Be patient. Don’t repeat cues and risk poisoning them, and don’t react in a way that could damage your bond. Give your dog time to respond and help them see the value in following your lead. Always look for ways to reinforce desired behaviors while ignoring unwanted habits.

Pyrs are sensitive, so you must avoid punishment and negative feedback. They may not always be compliant, but they are generally well-meaning. While every family companion warrants a positive training approach, Great Pyrenees are arguably the last breed to deserve harsh punishment.

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2. Train Obedience Basics and Practice “Learn to Earn”

Although obedience won’t be your Pyr’s hallmark, you can’t skimp on training. Puppy classes are an excellent idea, providing early socialization opportunities with other dogs and foundational obedience training to make your dog more tolerant and cooperative. At home, focus on the basics, particularly the following:

Practice these commands daily, but don’t become frustrated if you can’t get 100% cooperation. Use them to train patience and cooperation throughout the day in a “learn to earn” approach. For instance, have your Pyr sit before putting their meals down or make them wait before leaving the house for a walk. Doing so will teach patience, encourage calm behavior, and establish your position as the gateway to all the good things.

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3. Be Confident, Firm, and Unyieldingly Consistent

Set boundaries and standards for behavior from day one, ensuring that everyone in the family is committed to them. If you aren’t consistent and allow your Pyr to do something “just this one time” (e.g., getting on the couch, jumping on you to greet you), your dog will remember it, essentially poisoning the rule you’ve set. Your dog will get a taste of the alternative, realize it’s possible, and make your rules harder to enforce.

Stay consistent and firm while remaining positive. Promote an atmosphere of respect between you and your dog. Show that you care for your dog, but don’t give them what they want if they don’t heed your expectations.

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4. Train Daily but Keep the Sessions Short

Obedience routines aren’t the average Great Pyrenees’s forte, but they’re still an essential part of training behaviors and maintaining your position as the leader of the house. Keep them short, and focus on success so your dog stays motivated.

Start with basic commands, and be patient as they learn what you want (or what earns them a reward). Keep sessions to about 5 minutes, ending while your dog is fully engaged. Any longer, and you’ll notice they’ll often get bored and decide they want to do something else.

If you cut the session short while you have your dog’s attention, you’ll leave them wanting more, making future training sessions more exciting for them.

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5. Arrange Puppy Playdates

Great Pyrenees grow up quickly, and socializing is crucial before they get too large to handle. The critical period for dogs is 3–14 weeks, so you must prioritize safe exposure to diverse people, animals, and situations when you bring your puppy home from the breeder. Since they likely won’t have all their shots, you must take extra precautions to prevent unnecessary infections.

Talk to friends and family with well-behaved, vaccinated dogs who can visit for playdates. Supervise the interactions to ensure your Great Pyrenees can create positive associations with the presence of other dogs and people. Make playdates frequent, and try to expose your dog to as many animals as possible to generalize their behavior.

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6. Spend Quality Time to Nurture Your Bond

The Great Pyrenees don’t need excessive exercise to stay healthy, but daily activity and enrichment are crucial in keeping them calm and fostering the strong bond that will make training easier. Take your dog for daily walks, letting them sniff and explore. They’ll tire out while having fun, solidifying the connection between their positive feelings and your presence.

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7. Be Mindful of Resource Guarding

Resource guarding can be an issue in a multi-dog household that may spill over into conflict with owners if you don’t try to prevent it. Don’t give your Pyr a reason or the chance to be possessive, as it can cause long-term conflict.

Be careful about what you offer to your dog. Bones and long-lasting toys can quickly put a Pyr on edge if another dog approaches them, and poor socialization can make them overly anxious and wary. Make resources abundant and equitable, and monitor for aggressive signs.

If you must remove something your Pyr is guarding, keep tasty treats on hand so you can make a trade that won’t make them feel like they’re losing something valuable.

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8. Give Your Great Pyrenees a Job

Since they were bred to work, Great Pyrenees thrive when they have a sense of purpose. They’re always guardians, but protecting the home isn’t something that requires action every day, especially if you live in a quiet, safe neighborhood. To keep your Pyr stimulated, consider giving them a job, such as:

Ideally, you’ll have plenty of space for them to roam safely, like an expansive, fenced-in yard. If you commit to leash training early, you can do more exploratory hikes to give your Pyr ample exercise, time to sniff, and a chance to secure their territory by patrolling it.

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9. Weather the Adolescent Period

The Great Pyrenees will reach adolescence at around 6–10 months, a point when many of your efforts seemingly go out the window. Adolescence may last until your dog is 18 months old, but it can sometimes extend past their second year. New fears and behaviors may emerge, and any obedience you’ve developed will often regress.

Like children, dogs go through this transitional period on their way to adulthood to test their attachments and manage their hormonal changes. It can be frustrating for owners, but you must stay the course and remain consistent in your training and positive reinforcement. Encourage but don’t force interactions.

Have guests offer treats to show they’re non-threatening and beneficial, and continue rewarding the behaviors you want while gently dissuading unwanted habits.

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10. Handling an Independent-Minded Canine

Great Pyrenees aren’t necessarily dominating over handlers, but their long lineage has nurtured an independent mindset. The ancient breed has existed for over 3,000 years, with some putting their origins at over 10,000 years ago.

For centuries, the dogs worked to secure their shepherds’ herd from wolves and other hazards, with their white coats blending among their flock. Owners developed them to work independently, far from guiding hands. With this protective instinct came nurturing personalities. Pyrs are loving protectors, whether for animals in the field or family in the home.

In this centuries-long role, guardian traits are central to the modern breed, and we still see their value today. In 2024, a Great Pyrenees named Casper even won the People’s Choice Pup award from the American Farm Bureau for defending his flock against a pack of 11 coyotes, eight of which he killed despite suffering numerous injuries!

Final Thoughts

Great Pyrenees have an innate drive to be kind and guard their family. They’re hardworking and loyal, but that doesn’t mean they’ll excel at obedience. Unquestioning compliance was never a breed focus, as handlers primarily valued their drive and confidence, trusting them to do their due diligence with minimal prompting.

Today’s Great Pyrenees stay true to nature, which won’t align with typical expectations for everyday companion breeds. Although you’ll face unique hurdles while developing good behaviors, keeping a sense of humor, staying patient, and appreciating your dog’s priorities will make them one of the most adorable animals you could hope for.

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Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock

The post How To Train a Great Pyrenees: 10 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post World Animal Enrichment Day 2024: What Is It & How It Helps Your Dog by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Enrichment is, in many ways, the most critical factor determining a dog’s overall health and happiness. The diverse activities and games we provide fill the day with physical and mental stimulation, giving pets a reason to rise in the morning and something to look forward to when they go to bed at night. It’s a point of purpose that is as fun as it is meaningful and essential in enhancing their quality of life.

As enrichment bears such significance, it’s only appropriate to recognize a holiday to motivate pet lovers worldwide to do better for their four-legged friends. If you haven’t marked your calendar for World Animal Enrichment Day this year, you should do so on November 12th. We’ll explain why this annual celebration is worth every dog owner’s attention.

What Is World Animal Enrichment Day?

World Animal Enrichment Day is a yearly holiday on November 12. Animal behaviorist Sarah-Jane White, a pet industry author and entrepreneur, created it in 2016 to raise awareness of the importance of enrichment, encourage conversations, and encourage pet parents to make it a focal point of their daily routine.

How Can We Celebrate World Animal Enrichment Day?

While World Animal Enrichment Day is an excellent opportunity to reflect on how we can work on the enrichment we give our dogs, it’s also a perfect time to spread the word to help improve the lives of others. The most convenient way is to share a photo or video of the different fun activities you plan for your dog’s enrichment on social media and add the hashtag #worldanimalenrichmentday.

Alternatively, you can get out in the field and personally bring enrichment to more dogs. Contact a friend with a dog to arrange a playdate. Volunteer to play with the dogs at your local shelter or drop off toys for them to enjoy. Whether online or in person, you can likely find countless unique ways to spread the message and the value of enrichment.

What Is Enrichment?

As much as our dogs have adapted to our way of life, they still retain animal instincts, habits, and desires that deserve recognition to make their lives fulfilling and happy. After all, dogs are at their best when we allow them to be dogs.

Enrichment encompasses all those activities that bring out our dog’s nature. Some tap into a dog’s desire to sniff and explore, while others may evoke their prey drive or any other canine-specific trait. A quality enrichment routine can provide daily joy and relief from the unnatural limits domestication creates.

Playtime, toys, games, feeder puzzles, and other devices and activities motivate and excite dogs. They offer problem-solving opportunities and mental, physical, and emotional stimulation that meet our dogs on their level, letting them practice natural behaviors in a safe, fun manner.

Benefits of Enrichment

For many owners who supply daily enrichment activities for their dogs, the proof is in the pudding. A day of fun physical and mental challenges through enrichment yields immediate and conspicuous benefits for dogs, including:

Enrichment can help dogs suffering from behavioral and social issues, separation anxiety, and disobedience. Value comes back to the owner as it enhances the pet parent-dog bond and helps eliminate stressful problem behaviors that take time, effort, and often money to manage.

How to Improve Your Dog’s Enrichment

Enrichment approaches can fall into various categories, all worth considering within a dog’s daily routine. Studies suggest diversified environmental enrichment within a consistent routine is critical in improving a dog’s welfare.

Ideally, enrichment should occur daily in short sessions rather than sporadically to reduce stress and improve behaviors as much as possible. We can consider the opportunities in a few ways.

Enrichment can involve animate/social methods (contact with humans and other dogs) or inanimate/environmental devices (e.g., toys, playhouses, puzzle feeders). Breaking them down further, we can define several enrichment categories you can address at home, whether on World Animal Enrichment Day or otherwise, including the following.

Social Enrichment for Dogs

Frequent contact with people and other pets is the most critical enrichment method for improving a dog’s manners and confidence and controlling stress and problem behaviors. Human contact may be more influential for dogs than conspecific play, so owners must prioritize daily one-on-one time rather than rely only on toys.

Sensory Enrichment

The sights, sounds, and smells around dogs can positively and negatively affect them. The following are passive enrichment methods to improve their environment, offering convenient ways for owners to influence their dog’s happiness and relaxation:

Physical & Occupational Enrichment

Enrichment can include exercise routines that keep your dog fit and tire them out while integrating their natural drives. Many of these activities give dogs jobs to perform, utilizing their mental, sensory, and physical acuity. Examples of physical enrichment include:

Food Enrichment

Food enrichment may be among the most popular methods. While it does play a role in reducing barking and other stereotypes, increasing activity, and improving your dog’s overall well-being, owners should keep in mind that direct play interaction should be prioritized. The following are a few straightforward methods for engaging your dog’s mind and body with food motivators:

Every dog owner should focus on daily activities like these. Yet, World Animal Enrichment Day highlights an opportunity to bring their benefits to local shelters. Confinement significantly hinders a dog’s welfare as they await adoption.

By sparing time to create positive experiences for dogs in need, you can have a meaningful effect on their emotional health and social skills. Such engagement may improve their interactions with potential adopters, helping them find their forever homes sooner.

Final Thoughts

World Animal Enrichment Day on November 12 brings attention to one of the most vital aspects of a dog’s life. Enrichment bears a significant impact on a dog’s short-term and long-term happiness, behaviors, and relationships, ensuring their lives are long and fulfilling. Share the joy of enrichment this World Animal Enrichment Day with your dog-loving community, and take time to appreciate the many ways you can influence your pet’s bond and well-being.

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Featured Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

The post World Animal Enrichment Day 2024: What Is It & How It Helps Your Dog by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post MILK Books Photobook Review 2024: Our Thoughts on Turtle’s Keepsake by Gabrielle McGhee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Approximately half of the global population today isn’t old enough to remember, but virtually every home used to have a stack of photo albums prior to the year 2000. That’s because in the days of film cameras, everyone had their photos professionally printed – otherwise, you would have nothing to look at. But unfortunately, many of the photos would end up blurry, too dark, or have the dreaded “red eyes.” Still, these inferior photos were often slid into the clear plastic sleeves in the photo album, because it was all we had to remember the important moments in our lives.

Well, photography has come a long way since the turn of the century. I won’t get into the weeds of photography history here, but let’s just say times have changed, and so has the way we view photos. From the shift to digital photography in the early 2000s to the high-quality photo capability of today’s smartphones, the number of people photographing every moment of their lives has increased dramatically, and yet the actual printing of photos has declined. Sure, printing options are still out there…drug stores can still print digital photos for you, and websites allow you to upload your photos to print on coffee mugs, calendars, and photobooks. But the image quality isn’t always what you expected, and the caliber of the items you receive is often subpar. That’s where MILK Books changed the game.

MILK, an acronym for Moments of Inspiration, Love, and Kinship, is a print-on-demand photobook brand that allows users to design their own high-quality photo projects online, which are then printed and shipped within a matter of weeks. These treasured keepsakes can make excellent gifts, document memorable milestones, or just provide a fun way to organize and share our favorite photos.

About MILK Books

MILK Books was founded in 2012 by Geoff Blackwell, co-founder of the New Zealand-based publishing company Blackwell & Ruth. This earlier company, which is still creating award-winning projects today, was responsible for Diana: The Portrait, Mandela: The Authorised Portrait, and Desmond Tutu: The Authorised Portrait. With ample success in the publishing and photography fields, Blackwell’s first M.I.L.K. project started in 1999 when he began gathering photos for a 3-part photobook series to be titled Family, Friendship, and Love, with each book focusing on one of those topics. A decade after their publishing, Blackwell decided to create an online platform allowing anyone to lovingly create their own book of memorable moments…and so MILK Books was born.

MILK Books has now been helping people preserve their most cherished memories for over a decade. This print-on-demand company set itself apart from the competition in the very beginning by offering photobooks made of only the highest quality materials and printing using either a 4-color or 6-color process, depending on the customer’s choice. Their online creation tools are also easy to use with a variety of templates, which allow the user to create exactly the kind of photobook they want, as well as see what the final product will look like. And as a bonus, MILK Books provides a free link to every photo project completed, even before purchase, so that users can share their projects with friends and family for free.

Once you’ve successfully completed your photo project, chosen all your details (cover material, paper type, etc.), and completed payment, a photobook of the highest quality will be printed in Hong Kong before being shipped to your door, with email updates during each step of the process. MILK Books make fantastic gifts but are also just a wonderful way to organize and display all those photos of your friends, family, or pets currently trapped on your computer or smartphone. And with options as low as $35, anyone desiring their own MILK Book can find something amazing to fit their budget.

Overview

Here is an overview of the MILK Books print-on-demand process. This producer of top-tier photobooks allows the user to easily create their projects online and then assembles each book using only the highest quality materials to deliver a treasured keepsake that will last a lifetime.

Photobook Options

One of the greatest features of the MILK Books platform is the level of customization the site provides its users with. Everything from the size of the book and page count to the cover material and paper finish can be determined by the creator. Not only does this ensure every customer gets exactly what they want, but it also allows for a range of pricing with plenty of lower-budget items available, yet no reduction in the quality of the final product. There is also an option to add text to any or all pages, for people who might want to label photos or create more of a storybook feel.

Designing Your Book

To get started making your very first photobook on the MILK Books website, you need to create a free account. Then you can decide what kind of details you want your book to have – a classic or premium design, a photobook or a photo album, the cover material, etc. Next, you will choose and upload your photos, which MILK Books stores for free with no expiration. Finally, the fun part – designing each page! Customers can choose to have the website “auto create” the book for them, or manually create every page, and they can also decide how many photos are on each page and add text if desired.  Then, crucial to the final quality, the user will be alerted if any of the photos are too low in resolution to print properly – these photos can be adjusted in size or omitted altogether.

Printing and Shipping

Once satisfied with your photobook design, you will be provided with a link to your project that you can send to family and friends. This link is free, and a great way to get other people’s input on photo choice and placement, and to have others proofread any text you included. If there are no changes, you can then proceed to order your book. From then on, you will receive regular updates from MILK Books about where your book is in the printing process and will also receive a tracking number when it ships from Hong Kong. The entire process is handled without delay, with production time usually taking 7-21 days. Shipping times will vary depending on where you live.

Satisfaction Guarantee

MILK Books wants every customer to be 100% satisfied, and states if you are not happy to contact them within 14 days of receiving an item so they can make it right. But judging by the more than 8,000 Trustpilot reviews with a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, MILK Books makes a lot of people happy!

In Summary

Key Features

Quality

MILK Books uses only the highest quality materials and ensures superior fade-resistant printing quality in all their items. They also practice exceptional binding techniques – all books are stitch-bound, not glued – so they should never fall apart with proper care. Every item from MILK Books is guaranteed to protect your most cherished memories for a lifetime.

Variety

MILK Books has options for every purpose, desire, and budget. Customers can choose a very basic photobook to neatly preserve their favorite pictures, or a premium photo album with a vegan leather cover, or even a 200-page “magazine” with 6-color printing. There are also several template options, and you can even build your book page-by-page so that every page of your book can look exactly how you want it to.

Pricing

Because there are so many options, there is a wide range of pricing for completed books. A classic photobook starts at $35, while a classic photo album starts at $199. In the premium range, photobooks start at $68 and photo albums start at $234. The most expensive option is a magazine, which starts at $279.

Are MILK Books a Good Value?

MILK Books has great options starting as low as $35, but never skimps on the quality. And while their premium items, especially the albums and magazines, can get quite pricey, there is a reason for the higher cost. These more elaborate projects are absolutely stunning and would make fantastic gifts for special occasions. MILK Books maintains fantastic value for the level of elegance and artistic design they provide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I design my photobook from my phone, or do I have to use my laptop?

You can absolutely design straight from your phone! MILK Books knows that’s where most of their customers’ photos are, so their website makes it easy to upload from your phone without using a laptop or desktop. If you have any difficulty with the process, the website has detailed help articles in its FAQ section.

If the book is a gift for someone, how can I be sure I’ll receive it in time?

Although MILK Books won’t hesitate to get started on the printing process, printing times can vary, and so can shipping times. That’s why it is recommended to contact the company prior to ordering if you have any concerns about how quickly you can get your finished product delivered.

What if I misspelled something in my book’s text and I don’t notice until I receive my item? Will MILK Books reprint it for me?

If there is an error in your book that was your mistake, whether text or image resolution, MILK Books will still help make it right by sharing in the cost of the reprint. If you have any issues with your book when you first receive it, just contact the company right away to see how it can be rectified.

If I want to print another copy later, will I be able to? Or do I have to start over and design another book?

Your projects will always be saved under your account, and you will have the option to order another copy. You can even send a link to your project to friends or family if they want to order a copy for themselves.

Our Experience With MILK Books

Twelve years ago, I saw a Facebook photo of a dirty blond retriever-type pup, and judging by the pale blue walls around him, I could tell he was in the holding compartment on the animal control truck. The next day, I drove to the shelter on my lunch break to see him, a 6-month-old Lab-mix the staff called “Hunter,” and I signed the adoption papers that day. I renamed him “Turtle” after my favorite animal, and he was the first dog my husband and I got together…our “baby boy.” But Turtle is not a baby anymore. He is 12.5 years old, and I’ve seen a decline in his health since he turned 10. Although I hope he will see another birthday, I’ve started thinking of ways to memorialize him and was thrilled to discover MILK Books.

The quality of MILK photobooks is second to none. I’ve used other printing companies in the past, but none of them provided as many design options, or produced the quality images that MILK does. When I received my “Turtle” book, I immediately sat down with my husband to look through it together. Every turn of the page reminded us of good times – watching Turtle play at the dog park, introducing him to our new kitten, taking road trips to the mountains or the beach…so many memories! And having them printed in a beautiful book gives me peace of mind that if technology ever fails me, I won’t lose these cherished images.

The making of Turtle’s book was a little tricky at times, but overall, not difficult. I found it easy to make an account, choose my book options, and upload my desired photos. But as I got into designing my book, I decided to delete some photos – this was where things got a little tricky, as the light blue highlighting around images I had selected is hard to differentiate, and I accidentally deleted photos I wanted to keep. Luckily, I was able to re-upload the lost images, and just had to pay extra close attention while I finished choosing my final photos. Once I was satisfied with my book, the checkout process was easy, and as I waited for my book to ship, I got email updates letting me know what part of the printing process my new book was in. I also received a FedEx tracking number when it shipped, and delivery from Hong Kong to Florida was surprisingly speedy.

Looking through my photobook, I am incredibly pleased with the image quality. MILK gave me alerts in the design process when a photo was too low resolution, so I either shrunk the size of those photos on the book page or eliminated them altogether – there are no fuzzy pictures in my final product. Truly, there is nothing I don’t like about my new photobook from MILK, and thanks to their quality materials and included care instructions, I know that I will be enjoying this photobook for a long time to come.

Conclusion

Whether you want a display-worthy centerpiece for your coffee table, a thoughtful gift for a loved one, or an elegant way to remember that favorite vacation or beloved family pet, MILK Books has you covered. Providing material options and page templates that appeal to anyone, free online photo storage, and a free link to your finished project, this print-on-demand platform goes above and beyond to give customers what they want. With a little patience, you can be the designer of a one-of-a-kind photobook that surpasses anything you’ve seen before.

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The post OneMind Dogs Online Training Review 2024: Lorelei Goes Back To School by Lisa Lee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

We humans love to have our hobbies, especially athletic ones. Did you know that our four-legged best friends enjoy hobbies just as much? If anything, they consider hobbies part of their daily job. My pup and I discovered a love for dog agility together – a game in which your dog goes through a series of obstacles in a course. The pup that clears the course the fastest (with no mistakes) wins the game!

This hobby used to be a bit of a complicated endeavor because I had to drive pretty far to my nearest dog agility class and could only carve out one day in the week to commit to it. Then OneMind Dogs came along, an entirely online agility class created by professional trainers. All I needed were the agility obstacles (which were easy to find online) and a membership to the program. So, how does OneMind Dogs compare to the classes I used to take in person?

About OneMind Dogs

OneMind Dogs is not your average online dog training app; it is much more than that. Last I checked, it may actually be the only comprehensive online course for dog agility led by trainers and professional agility handlers.

OneMind Dogs was inspired by an exceptional dog named Tekla, a border collie who unexpectedly lost her hearing in 2003. Her owner (and one of the founders of OneMind Dogs) Janita Leinonen had to find a new way to communicate with her beloved Tekla, as verbal cues would no longer work. The journey Janita went on with Tekla helped devise the OneMind Dogs method, with the method’s efficacy being proven with Janita and Tekla winning several championship titles in various agility competitions.

OneMind Dogs formally began in 2012, led by a group of passionate dog behavior experts, agility coaches, innovators, and Janita herself. The primary crew of OneMind Dogs includes Jaakko Suoknuuti, Mikko Aaltonen, Mari Kaplas, Tuulia Liuhto, and Noora Keskievari as CEO – along with 84 other coaches and instructors from 13 different countries around the world. To date, there are over 58,000 registered users from 97 countries.

Overview

Here is an overview of what you can expect from OneMind Dogs and why this program differs from the rest.

Pricing

For agility classes, which is the bread and butter of OneMind Dogs, there is a free version of OneMind Dogs in all its training categories – but this is simply a little intro and will not give you access to the main training courses. However, the free version offers a great sneak peek.

If you only want the agility foundation course, you can purchase it separately at $10.78 per month. However, this course is also included in the main premium membership prices above.

For the Puppy training classes, there is a 7-day free trial to try all of the puppy classes.

The Methodology

The OneMind Dog method bases itself on your dog’s natural behavior. Dogs communicate through body language and the interpretation of body language. The OneMind Dog method trains humans in the language of dogs.

Dogs are encouraged to adhere to behavior that their human wants based on communicating with them in their own way of speaking. The lessons in the OneMind Dogs method focus on explaining how your dog sees and interprets the world, alongside how best to communicate with your dog in the language that dogs fundamentally understand.

This is why OneMind Dogs is so effective – instead of training the dog to your language (like many other training programs), you meet the dog at their level of understanding. There is an excellent lesson in the OneMind Dogs Method training section that is called “Your Dog Is Your Best Instructor,” and that says it all.

Agility Training

OneMind Dogs really excels at its agility training program, which totals over 600 lessons. Premium members have access to all of these, while basic tier subscribers ($10.78 per month) have access to the Foundations for Agility, and free users can just get a sneak preview.

All of the lessons are divided into categories that are easily searchable.

The Foundations for Agility course, which is the most popular one (and where you should start, even if your dog has some understanding of what agility is), teaches you to both work as a team, improve your dog’s focus, help with mental stimulation, teach body awareness to your pup and how to use their body in a balanced way and help your pup build the right attitude for agility.

The Handling category is also cited as being quite popular on the OneMind Dogs website, stating that this set of courses teaches more than 30 different techniques. The first 20 are stated to be based on natural behaviors from your dog, which make them easier to learn and teach. As someone who has done dog agility classes before, I found the Handling category incredibly comprehensive, covering every maneuver you may encounter on the course.

All the lessons are wrapped around ways to maximize your backyard so you can train efficiently at home, which is especially prevalent in the Courses and Sequences category with course plans for your yard, as well as tips and tricks for teaching sequences at home.

Puppy Training

Although OneMind Dogs focuses on agility training, the puppy courses are also a great resource. The Online Puppy Training by OneMind Dogs is a foundational series to help your puppy become a wonderful adult dog.

There are 96 total lessons and 40 total socializations.

Much like agility training, the entire system is based on proper communication between yourself and your dog.

Professional Trainers

All of the trainers at OneMind Dogs are fully vetted and very accomplished, with many holding top titles in dog agility! OneMind Dogs uses coaches, assistant coaches, and instructors.

What to Expect and Ease Of Use

Upon registering for OneMind Dogs, you get your own dashboard that is used to access lessons, communicate with coaches and instructors, and keep track of how your dog is doing.

The Online Puppy Training has a different dashboard than the Agility training, and both aim towards their goals. Whichever one you are using, the website is straightforward to use, with everything not requiring computer knowledge.

To access classes for the Agility training, just press “Start Training” at the top menu. Courses will populate with an easy-to-use search bar and category drop-down menu.

Very app-based, each lesson works in three easy steps:

It’s as simple as that! If you scroll further on the lesson page under the instructional video, you will find a written breakdown of the following:

This thorough information makes training at home tremendously easier, especially for a sport like dog agility.

Forum and Blog

Membership includes access to the OneMind Dogs forum, where you can interact with the coaches, instructors, and other students going through the course. The forum is quite active and lists workshops you can take. OneMind Dogs also has a blog with valuable articles on various topics.

Philanthropy

Believe it or not, your soon-to-be favorite online agility training platform also has a charitable side. OneMind Dogs has partnered with Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas, a rescue that “pioneers innovative lifesaving programs designed to save the animals most at risk of euthanasia.”

In Summary

Key Features

The OneMind Dog Method

The OneMind Dogs method is exclusive to this program and is probably the most effective one out there. OneMind Dogs teaches you the language of your dog.

Puppy Training Courses

Online puppy training courses are available, teaching the fundamentals of raising a great dog, such as housetraining, walking on a leash, and more.

Extensive Agility Training Courses

Agility is the primary purpose of OneMind Dogs, and their agility courses are unbeatable.

100 Trainers From 13 Different Countries

Trainers to suit every aspect of agility and puppy rearing, all accomplished and heavily vetted.

Easy To Follow Videos

All the lesson videos are simple and easy to follow with clear instructions and tips. Each lesson page dedicates space to written instructions and tips if your pup isn’t doing what they are supposed to.

A Forum To Connect With Other Users

An active forum to talk with other users or engage with instructors.

Get One-On-One Feedback From Coaches And Instructors

Times are available for one-on-one feedback from a coach, an assistant coach, or an instructor.

Is OneMind Dogs a Good Value?

Depending on where you live, the average agility class costs $25 – $60 per class. Assuming you go with your dog once a week like I did, that is $100 monthly on the low end and $240 on the high end.

But in all actuality, once per week is not very beneficial for your dog. You should be training two to three times a week, which quickly adds up to anywhere from $200 per month spent on classes to $480 per month!

OneMind Dogs costs at most $48 per month.

To buy your agility equipment and train at home, you’ll need to spend around $100 – $300 for a complete set, depending on how many of each obstacle you want to buy. This is a one-time purchase. Pair this with a yearly membership fee of $411, and you’re still getting a massive value and cost reduction per year! Over 600 lessons are available to you immediately, with guided courses to help you train at home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you need to own agility equipment for the agility classes?

You do not need to own any agility equipment for the Agility Foundation classes. Equipment will be required for the agility lessons beyond the extensive foundation course. Equipment can be purchased in a variety of places, including online.

What ages of dogs can participate in the OneMind Dogs method?

OneMind Dogs has lessons for dogs of all ages, from puppyhood to adulthood. Beginner and advanced dogs are welcome.

There are a lot of lessons. Is there a way to bookmark or save lessons?

Yes. Press the star icon next to any lesson video to start a bookmark list you can visit again in the dashboard.

Our Experience With OneMind Dogs 

I enrolled my pup, Lorelei, into agility classes the day I finally got her health on track from adopting her at the animal shelter. She was about two years old at the time. Although the lessons were a lot of fun, I had difficulty finding any near me – and an hour’s commute each way is rather hard to carve into a busy work schedule, and my pup only went once a week (sometimes once every two weeks). Not only was this a pricey endeavor to begin with, but I felt like the money wasn’t being very well spent because we weren’t progressing with so few classes. We had stopped doing agility some years ago, so when OneMind Dogs came along, I was curious to see if it would be possible to get going again on our own; I have some of the equipment anyway!

Upon first registering and receiving a Premium Membership, all of the lessons became instantly available to me. The dashboard is really simple to navigate, and finding the lesson I wanted wasn’t difficult either. We started with the foundation course and haven’t quite progressed to the main agility lessons yet – but what we’ve done so far is pretty brilliant! I really appreciated how easy and straightforward all of the video tutorials are – I am a very visual learner, and watching proper handling helped tremendously. The tips to assist in situations where Lorelei wasn’t quite catching on to what I needed helped tremendously, which mitigated my need to constantly bug a trainer to ask what I was doing wrong.

Most of the lessons teach you about viewing life from your dog’s vantage point and how dogs communicate with us and the world around them. I felt like I was learning a new language, but every time I accomplished something in this canine way of communication, my dog understood me far better than before. We naturally rely a lot on verbal cues because humans are vocal, but dogs are body-language communicators. I felt like even just going through a few courses, the bond with my pup got a lot stronger – and at the end of the day, that’s the goal, is it not?

The blog was a fun read in my relaxation time, and the forum was a helpful addition to the OneMind Dogs program as a whole. I even recognized a few agility students from when I used to take classes!

Overall, I am delighted with OneMind Dogs and will continue further in their lessons.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, OneMind Dogs is the ultimate resource for all things dog agility. A cost-effective and really valuable way to excel in this fun hobby, OneMind Dogs is truly changing the way people train and view this sport. By shaping your dog’s natural behaviors, you can find a new way to become a great agility team. 10/10 would absolutely recommend!

The post OneMind Dogs Online Training Review 2024: Lorelei Goes Back To School by Lisa Lee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.