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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.

The Bristly brushing stick is a chew toy that functions as a toothbrush for dogs. See 10 things I like about this dog toothbrush toy + 3 things I don't.

How many of the tricks on this list of 101 Best Dog Tricks can your dog do? Does your dog perform any cool tricks that AREN'T on the list? I honestly can't imagine any that have been left off this list!

A simple home remedy for dog diarrhea. Learn the 2-step plan of fasting and a bland diet of chicken & rice to help your dog feel better fast.

One way to stop dog barking is to teach your dog the 'Quiet' command. My dog used to bark a lot, until I used these tips to teach him how to be quiet.

With my dogs, I've used a hard plastic cone collar and other "cone of shame" alternatives. Here are the best alternatives to Elizabethan collars for dogs.

My dog had TPLO surgery for a torn ACL. I documented ALL details of the recovery process so you know what to expect when YOUR dog gets home after surgery.

Cooper’s dog treat mixes save A LOT of time when making homemade dog treats. You never have to plan ahead - just add water! Here's my review of the DIY baked dog treats and DIY frozen pupsicles.

Wondering what the safest long lasting dog chews are? I did an experiment with my dogs so I could see for myself. See the 12 best dog chews that last longest.

Interactive dog toys (or enrichment dog toys) provide a challenge for your dog. Their unique features keep your dog interested & having fun for hours! These are the best ones to start with -- use them to gauge your dog's interest and chewing behaviors before you buy a bunch of toys for your bored dog.

I'll show you how to draw a dog - quick & easy! Start with an oval shape drawn on paper, then follow these simple steps to draw a fun dog face or a dog body.

dog age facts found on computer

To figure the human equivalent of a dog's age, just add 7 to each year that your dog has been alive, right? Wrong! Here's how to determine your dog's physical age AND your dog's mental age in the MOST accurate way -- like veterinarians do.

I've had dogs all my life. Only 3 of them had dew claws. Here's what I've learned about dog dew claw removal -- when to remove dew claws and when NOT to remove them.