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I didn't know it either--National Pet Week--but everything else has a day or a week, so why not! The article below lists 13 common mistakes dog people make. Unfortunately, the article doesn't say anything about how to correct these mistakes. The "tug-of-war" item is particularly interesting, since I've heard many spins on this, but I guess that's their point.
I'm not providing this as any sort of "fact". Just something to think about or look into further if you have a dog (or cat, click the link at the bottom). The last item about plants is also interesting, since Benny has a habit of grazing when he's walking around the yard. I often find him feasting on the compost pile, and I know he likes cabbage, but I don't know if there's anything else growing out there that could be dangerous.
Here's the article:
Clearing up common pet-care myths for National Pet Week
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
It's National Pet Week (yes, believe it or not, your furry friends get recognition, too).
This is as good a time as any to remind readers of some of the common mistakes and myths about pets, the proper way to take care of them and tips on training.
Petlane, a home pet party company, has put together this information.
Here are the 13 most common mistakes that dog owners make:
• Driving in a car with a dog that is not in a seat belt.
• Leaving a dog alone without something safe to occupy itself.
• Not giving small dogs in particular enough exercise, but believing a back yard is ample space for them to run around in.
• Punishing a dog more than a few seconds after it has done something wrong. Example: You come home and the garbage has been strewn around the house. The dog has no idea why he is being punished. All he knows is that when you come home it is not a good thing.
• Making a big deal over leaving the house.
• Not understanding how to read a pet food label. Foods that list "real" chicken first include the water weight in this ingredient. Chicken in this form consists of 70 percent water. Look for Chicken Meal instead. It is a much more nutritious source of protein.
• Thinking that tug-of-war games are not OK for dogs. In fact, played appropriately, they are an important part of bonding with your companion animal.
• In terms of discipline, forgetting that it is easier to teach a dog what NOT to do than what TO do.
• Failing to "puppy proof" your home. This is actually very important for your puppy's safety and your sanity.
• Leaving a dog in a car during hot weather. This is dangerous even if a window is cracked open.
• Using a collar rather than a harness to walk small dogs.
• Failure to do your homework about specific breeds when choosing a new dog. The breeds very much determine their inherent personality type.
• Not knowing that certain plants can be poisonous in and outside of the home.
Source including 10 items for cat people
My cats know "stop" and "no"....and boy do they ever know "treat"..
) loved playing tug of war. He loved playing with your hand as the object to tug. We taught him early that he could only play that game when we had "the glove" on the hand. As soon as you took it off, he knew he had to stop. He was the smartest danged dog I've ever known. I miss him! 
Thanks for posting this! 
