Allison Weiss Entrekin - For the Love of Dogs: An A-to-Z Primer for Dog Lovers of All Ages

P is for many things

poodles, paws, puppies.

But to me, P will always stand

for one word: Positive.

Ill explain.

When I was a little girl growing up in Wimbledon, England, I wasnt allowed to have a dog. Both my parents worked, and it was just too much for them to add another creature to our busy household. Still, my grandmothers life was her Beagles, and because I spent a lot of time with her during my youth, her love of dogs rubbed off on me.

I pursued acting as a young adult, and I walked dogs as a way to supplement my income. I found that I was quite good at itwithin one month, I had more than 20 clients. I didnt understand it at the time, but dogs were drawn to my positive approach to relating to them. I didnt focus on dominance; I focused on cooperation.

From there, I embarked on a fascinating journey in which I sought to learn about dogs and the incredible bond we humans share with them. I volunteered at rescue shelters. I read every book I could get my hands on. I attended seminars. I educated myself as best I could. And finally, I made myself official and became certified in animal training and behavior.

Well, we all know what happened nextI continued to work with dogs, television producers found my approach interesting, and now I have my own series, Its Me or the Dog, and serve as a judge on Greatest American Dog. I still believe passionately that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods rather than punitive, dominance-based techniques. So to me, P is for positivealways has been, always will be.

Of course, B is for books, and I certainly love this one. Its fantastic poems and clever illustrations have made it a hit in my house, where my husband, daughter, and Chocolate Lab, Sadie, all read it together. It reminds us of the deep, loving, and sometimes humorous bond we all shareand thats pretty darn positive, too.

Victoria Stilwell

World-renowned dog trainer and host of Its Me or the Dog

For more information about Victoria, please visit her official site, www.positively.com.

A is for

Adoption .

Though dogs like to roam,

Every last one knows

Theres no place like home.

Every year, approximately 7 million dogs and cats enter shelters in the United States. They range from young to old, small to large, mixed-breed to purebred (in fact, the Humane Society of the United States estimates that as many as 25 percent of all shelter dogs are purebred). Each of these animals deserves to be adopted into a loving, forever home, but unfortunately, statistics show that only about half of them will exit shelters with a family. To find out more about animal adoption and how you can help, visit www.humanesociety.org .

B is for

Beagles ,

A howling good breed.

Theyll wake up the neighbors

But love you indeed.

B eagles penchant for baying prompted the French to call them be gueules (gaping mouths), which led to their current name, Beagles. They are happy hunting dogs whose most famous family member is Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip. Like Snoopy, they are even-tempered and caring toward people. Their sweet disposition, coupled with their small size and low-maintenance coat, make them ideal pets for many people. Beagles have historically placed among the top-five most popular breeds in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.

C is for

Cavaliers ,

The spaniel of kings.

They want (and receive)

All of lifes finer things.

C avalier King Charles Spaniels were named after King Charles II of Britain (who reigned during the 17th century), and countless paintings and tapestries depict their ancestors posing with aristocratic families. Known for their playfulness and good humor, Cavaliers generally get along with everyone from babies to large dogs. These pups arent afraid to be pamperedthey love having their long, silky ears brushed, and theyre happy to curl up in their parents laps for a snooze.

D is for

Dachshunds .

Their spunky demeanor

Makes them Americas

Real favorite wiener.

D achshunds may be short in height, but theyre long on personality (their bodies are pretty long, too!). Always tenacious, theyll chase squirrels and bark at much larger dogs with reckless abandon. Perhaps thats why the Germans call them badger dogs! Because of their build, they are sometimes referred to as wiener dogs in the United States. There are three fur varieties among Dachshunds smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. The breed as a whole is traditionally one of the top-10 most popular in the country, according to the American Kennel Club.

E is for

English Foxhounds ;

Theyre jolly good Brits.

Theyll spend the day hunting

Then have tea and biscuits.

A s their name indicates, English Foxhounds trace their roots to Great Britain, where they were bred to hunt foxes. Full of energy, they love to runand runand run. (Good apartment dwellers, they are not!) They like being with other dogs or people as part of a pack; this is how their ancestors traveled while on the hunt. They are the short, stocky, and slightly slower cousins of American Foxhounds and a favorite subject of painters who create hunting scenes.

F is for the

First Dog ,

A puppy named Bo.

He has reached the highest office

A canine can know.

I n 2009, the Obama family received a gift from Senator Ted Kennedya Portuguese Water Dog named Bo. This helped President Obama fulfill his campaign promise to his daughters that he would let them have a dog once the election was over. Bo is an upbeat and feisty fellow who keeps Sasha and Malia Obama company in the White House, and hes even allowed to roam inside the Oval Office with the president himself. Still, President Obama insists he will not allow the pooch to share a bed with him; at press time, he still hadnt caved.

G is for

Golden Retriever .

Theyll turn your clothes blonde,

But teach you that love

Is a powerful bond.

W hether theyre serving as guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, or simply family dogs, Golden Retrievers excel at what they do. Their long, golden coat is beautiful to behold, but it also sheds seasonally, which means their people are usually covered in hair. But these dogs are worth a few extra lint brushesintelligent and eager to please, they are widely considered one of the most loving breeds. Golden Retrievers have historically ranked among the top-five most popular breeds in America, according to the American Kennel Club.