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Lynnette Walczak

I like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 600 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

In our case, any time the doorbell would ring, or someone would knock on the door, or a visitor would enter the house, our dog would go wacko. Same is true whenever he spotted a stranger or a dog out the window or from our fenced-in backyard. Here's how we got our dog to stop barking.

I'm so thrilled that I have an established relationship with a dog trainer that I trust now. So much so, that I would feel comfortable calling her again in the future with anything that might come up. I see Suzy Godsey's over-the-phone dog training session as a great way to get back on track with your dog and to ultimately change any behavior your dog is doing that is causing more harm than good.

My current method of pet hair retrieval from furniture is to use the same type of lint brushes you would typically use on clothes. This is the same concept used with the Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair. So, here are the pros & cons of the Pledge Pet Sweeper, as I see it...

The Gentle Leader head collar definitely transformed how both of our dogs walk on a leash with us. This was clear from the very first day we used it! Here's how it went for us...

Here are step-by-step instructions for making a tug toy for your dog, using items you already have around the house!

We actually call it 'being shy' but you would probably impress your friends better if you called it playing 'peek-a-boo' or something cute. This dog trick simply involves rewarding your dog for putting his paw on his nose. Here's how we taught our dog to play peek-a-boo on command.

These 3 videos contain information that is helpful for new dog owners as well as lifelong dog owners -- like myself. I learned so much from these DVDs... and I've had dogs all my life! I predict these Cesar Millan DVDs will be a lifesaver for lots of dog owners -- especially those who have reached their peak level of frustration and don't know where else to turn.

Whenever we're preparing for a really bad storm, I make a point to gather the dog's necessities, in addition to our own. Even if you're not officially evacuating, you never know when you when you might need to seek shelter somewhere else at the last minute. Or, you may even have to stay in a public shelter temporarily if the storm wreaks havoc on your entire neighborhood. Here's what to pack for your dog.

We paid $2,500 for our dog's TPLO surgery to repair a torn ACL in his knee. Actually they replaced the ligament and cartlidge from our dog's knee with a metal plate and 6 screws. Here's how it went for us.

Did you know that owning a dog costs about $1000 for the first year alone? Then, it costs about $500 each year after that -- and that's just for the basics! Here are a few ways to save money when you own a dog.

Here's an illustration showing exactly how to apply these products directly onto your dog's back, beneath his thick coat. Plus, lots of great tips when using Frontline, Advantage or K9 Advantix.

Pooch Smoothies are ice cube sized popsicle treats for your dog -- minus the stick. You might also call them Yogurt Cups for Pups... or Puppy Popsicles. The best part: They're made with all the same ingredients you would use to make a Fruit Smoothie for yourself! Here's how to make them.