Hello, I’m Dr. Karyn! Learn my introduction to study extra about me and my 5 humorous canine, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.
As we enter that bleary-eyed complicated interval between Christmas and New 12 months, I assumed I’d take this opportunity to look again over the highlights of my yr spent documenting the varied antics and inspiration my canine have supplied and entertained us with. Properly, I’ve been entertained – I hope you have got, too!
It’s like a kind of episodes of a TV present the place the writers clearly needed to take per week off, so we get handled to a flashback episode! Plus, it’s an incredible alternative so that you can make amends for a few of my favourite tales from the yr.
So, with no additional ado, listed here are my 5 Favourite Posts of 2024:
Ned’s Weepy Peepers – The Perils of Having a Small Head
Learn it right here: Ned’s Weepy Peepers: Fixing the Drawback of Giving Eye Drops to Canine (with Video)
What I beloved about this put up was that it allowed me to take my real-life expertise of struggling to deal with the weepy eyes of an uncooperative creature with a tiny head. Whereas Ned is splendidly good in each method, he made life very tough when it got here to cleansing and making use of drops to his weepy eyes, main me to give you some inventive options. It’s little nuggets of knowledge that come from private expertise that make it a lot simpler to narrate to the difficulties skilled by many pet homeowners and supply some attainable options.
Surprising Assist for My Persistent Fatigue
Learn it right here: Surprising Assist for My Persistent Fatigue: How My Canine Tailored to Napping
Realizing how many individuals live with sickness, it was good to have the ability to share my expertise with persistent fatigue, and the way my pets have typically made it simpler, not tougher, to get by means of powerful days. Many individuals would possibly really feel discouraged concerning the concept of getting pets once they lack the power or vitality to maintain up with the ultramarathon runners and 5 am energy walkers, believing that they might not be capable to give a canine all the things they want.
Nevertheless, I’ve discovered that canine are way more adaptable and emotionally clever than we might give them credit score for, and moderately than turning into pissed off and anxious after I expertise a crash, my pack of canine (and the cats) appear to relish the time we spend simply chilling out or having a sleep. A lot in order that I can now simply say the phrase ‘nap’ and the canine come barrelling upstairs to assert their spot on the mattress.
Who’s the Boss?
Learn it right here: Who’s the Boss? Debunking the Dominance Idea (With Video)
I really like the phrase “each day’s a college day” as a result of it actually sums up how I really feel about my private {and professional} life. Simply while you suppose you’ve obtained the measure of issues, you study one thing new that turns all the things round. That’s what occurred after I found that what I knew about canine dominance and pack conduct was being questioned and redefined by animal behaviorists and canine trainers.
Once you see how completely different people work together, it makes a lot extra sense having discovered concerning the innate roles that canine tackle in a pack or group setting. Dwelling with a pack of 5 canine has allowed me to expertise firsthand how canine relationships are way more complicated than a linear dominance hierarchy, and recognizing their roles inside the group has helped me adapt and enhance my strategy to interplay and coaching.
Ned The Helpless
Learn it right here: Ned the Helpless: Dr. Karyn’s Quintessential Chihuahua (with Video)
Ned is probably the most scrumptious, squishable creature I’ve ever recognized, and I really like him a lot that it really makes me unhappy as a result of I do know that we might solely have a mere 15 years left collectively. Have you ever ever felt that method a few pet? I’ve by no means needed to have kids, however with Ned in my life, I can absolutely recognize the pull at your coronary heart everytime you’re away from them, the fixed fear that one thing might occur to them, and the nice and cozy and fuzzy feeling of being wanted. Earlier than Ned, I had by no means had a pet that so clearly ‘wanted’ me. Patiently ready to leap up into my arms to raise him onto the couch or carry him as much as mattress, yapping at me after dinner till I put together his sizzling water bottle, his helplessness is so endearing.
Dr Karyn’s 10 Commandments For Profitable Pet Parenting – Half One and Half Two
Learn them right here:
Over the previous decade or so, I’ve discovered loads about canine conduct, coaching, obedience, and respect. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what number of pet mother and father are doing their canine a disservice by being inconsistent and imprecise of their strategy to pet parenting. I’m actually not an ideal canine proprietor, and my strategies will not be for everybody, however I’ve loved having the ability to give some pointers that may make these first few months a bit simpler, and set your canine up for achievement (click on right here to learn Half 1 and Half 2). Canine are happiest after we are clear and constant about what we would like from them. It’s worrying and complicated for them when they’re being shouted at as adults for issues they had been allowed to get away with once they had been younger, and no pet proprietor must be saying the phrases “he/she gained’t let me try this.”
Trying Forward
As we sit up for extra chaos and enjoyable in 2025, we’d love to listen to from you. What – or who – do you wish to know extra about? Have you ever obtained any burning questions on Kodah’s internal ideas or Fred’s ongoing bathroom coaching (I’d identical to to go one week with out a sneaky indoor poop!). Maybe you’d like me to reveal one thing that’s confused or evaded you.
Drop me a line within the feedback part under, and I’ll see what the gang and I can do for you.
Wishing you all a 2025 filled with enjoyable and fur, from Ned, Fred, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, and myself.
This text is part of Dr. Karyn’s collection together with her 5 canine.
