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Tom Shelby - Page 2

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Dog Charmer: Dakota is smart, but the woods distract him

Dog Charmer: Dakota is smart, but the woods distract him We have a beautiful and smart six-month-old male Rottweiler named Dakota. He is really good with the basics of sit, lay down and stay. We love to go hiking and the goal is to be able to take him off leash. He loves to be out in the woods. How do we get him to be more attentive to us when walking? We need him to come back to us…

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Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: Terrier Afraid of Everything

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby Terrier Afraid of Everything Tom, We have a 7-month-old Boston Terrier, Maggie, who is fearful of everything including me. She loves me but is afraid if I talk too loud or move fast. Also big-time stranger-danger to anyone new. We also have a 10-year-old Boston, Chloe, who is the best dog, loves everyone and is so laid back. I want Maggie to be happy and not in fear. If I put a Thundershirt on her,…

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Letter by Katie Huntington

Letter by Katie Huntington I just wanted to say how much I’ve been enjoying the “Dog Charmer” column that Tom Shelby writes for All Otsego. My husband and I have a rescue dog of our own, and it’s been really helpful to hear other people’s experiences and Tom’s advice for them. I had a question that was answered one week, and Tom gave some wonderful feedback that I hadn’t considered before.…

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Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: Old dog Eddie is a P.I.T.A

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby Old dog Eddie is a P.I.T.A I would love some behavioral support for 11-year-old Eddie. I live alone with Eddie and Annie, my 2 dogs. My 90-year-old parents moved out in March. I work full-time. They get walks in the a.m. and p.m. I come home mid-day to let them out into a fenced-in yard. Eddie is very demanding of me when I’m home, and even worse if someone is here with me.…

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Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: How do I stop nipping when I encouraged the behavior?

    Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby How do I stop nipping when I encouraged the behavior? Dear Tom, We have a two-year old, 17-pound Cavapoo with a bad owner: me! Since she was a pup, we have played rough, wrestling and playing “dodge the nips” with my sleeves and forearms. We both have had a blast. Because of social distancing during the worst of the pandemic, this aggressive play at home was not a problem. But, predictably, as our…

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: My Yorkie won’t go upstairs

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby My Yorkie won’t go upstairs Hi, Mr. Shelby: I recently adopted a sweet little nine-year old Yorkie named Abbey from Susquehanna SPCA. She speeds up my front and back porch steps with no problem, but refuses to climb the 15 steps to my upper floor sleeping quarters (both hers and mine!) Come to find out, her previous owner had a one-floor home, and when they often visited the owner’s sister’s home, Abbey was prohibited from…

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Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: Dog is depressed over death of companion

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby Dog is depressed over death of companion Dear Tom, We have two goldens, Chloe, 6, and Bonnie, 14½. They have been together since Chloe was a puppy. Sadly, Bonnie died suddenly this past Wednesday. Along with our anguish and moping about, Chloe seems to have picked it up also. She seems very flat. Is this normal? Can you suggest anything we can do or just wait it out? Appreciate your comments, Al…

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The Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: How to help an anxious new puppy stay home by itself

The Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby How to help an anxious new puppy stay home by itself Dear Tom, She came to us at 12 weeks at the start of pandemic lockdown. Well, I know it’s my fault for taking her everywhere with me, for putting her in her crate at night and staying until she settles, etc. With three adults in the household, she focuses on me ALL the time. If I go out without her, she’s a mess…

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Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby: Stories from a working dogs life

Dog Charmer by Tom Shelby Stories from a working dogs life My two working dogs were Michelle and Mike, both Dobermans. Michelle found two people alive and some not alive. Mike tracked a woman 11 miles. They were search and rescue dogs. Readers, as you’re reading this you are dropping about 40 thousand dead skin cells a minute. You and I have about five million olfactory cells in our noses, Michelle had more than 200 million.…

Putting the Community Back Into the Newspaper

Now through March 30, new annual subscribers to “The Freeman’s Journal” and AllOtsego.com (or subscribers who have lapsed for two or more years) have an opportunity to help their choice of one of four Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice:

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Cooperstown Food Pantry, Greater Oneonta Historical Society or Super Heroes Humane Society.