
Hello, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to study extra about me and my 5 humorous canine, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.
As we enter that bleary-eyed complicated interval between Christmas and New Yr, I assumed I’d take this opportunity to look again over the highlights of my yr spent documenting the assorted antics and inspiration my canine have supplied and entertained us with. Nicely, I’ve been entertained – I hope you’ve got, too!
It’s like a kind of episodes of a TV present the place the writers clearly needed to take every week off, so we get handled to a flashback episode! Plus, it’s an important alternative so that you can make amends for a few of my favourite tales from the yr.
So, with no additional ado, listed below are my 5 Favourite Posts of 2024:
Ned’s Weepy Peepers – The Perils of Having a Small Head

Learn it right here: Ned’s Weepy Peepers: Solving the Problem of Giving Eye Drops to Dogs (with Video)
What I loved about this post was that it allowed me to take my real-life expertise of struggling to deal with the weepy eyes of an uncooperative creature with a tiny head. Whereas Ned is splendidly good in each method, he made life very troublesome when it got here to cleansing and making use of drops to his weepy eyes, main me to provide you with some artistic options. It’s little nuggets of knowledge that come from private expertise that make it a lot simpler to narrate to the difficulties skilled by many pet homeowners and supply some attainable options.
Surprising Help for My Continual Fatigue

Learn it right here: Unexpected Support for My Chronic Fatigue: How My Dogs Adapted to Napping
Figuring out how many individuals live with sickness, it was good to have the ability to share my experience with chronic fatigue, and the way my pets have usually made it simpler, not more durable, to get by way of robust days. Many individuals may really feel discouraged in regards to the thought of getting pets once they lack the flexibility or vitality to maintain up with the ultramarathon runners and 5 am energy walkers, believing that they’d not have the ability to give a canine every thing they want.
Nevertheless, I’ve discovered that canine are much more adaptable and emotionally clever than we could give them credit score for, and moderately than changing into annoyed and anxious once I expertise a crash, my pack of canine (and the cats) appear to relish the time we spend simply chilling out or having a sleep. A lot in order that I can now simply say the phrase ‘nap’ and the canine come barrelling upstairs to say their spot on the mattress.
Who’s the Boss?

Learn it right here: Who’s the Boss? Debunking the Dominance Theory (With Video)
I really like the phrase “daily’s a college day” as a result of it actually sums up how I really feel about my private {and professional} life. Simply whenever you assume you’ve received the measure of issues, you study one thing new that turns every thing round. That’s what occurred once I found that what I knew about canine dominance and pack habits was being questioned and redefined by animal behaviorists and dog trainers.
Whenever you see how completely different people work together, it makes a lot extra sense having discovered in regards to the innate roles that canine tackle in a pack or group atmosphere. Residing with a pack of 5 canine has allowed me to expertise firsthand how canine relationships are much more advanced than a linear dominance hierarchy, and recognizing their roles inside the group has helped me adapt and enhance my method to interplay and coaching.
Ned The Helpless

Learn it right here: Ned the Helpless: Dr. Karyn’s Quintessential Chihuahua (with Video)
Ned is probably the most scrumptious, squishable creature I’ve ever recognized, and I really like him a lot that it truly makes me unhappy as a result of I do know that we could solely have a mere 15 years left collectively. Have you ever ever felt that method a few pet? I’ve by no means needed to have youngsters, however with Ned in my life, I can absolutely admire the pull at your coronary heart everytime you’re away from them, the fixed fear that one thing might occur to them, and the nice and cozy and fuzzy feeling of being wanted. Earlier than Ned, I had by no means had a pet that so clearly ‘wanted’ me. Patiently ready to leap up into my arms to raise him onto the couch or carry him as much as mattress, yapping at me after dinner till I put together his scorching water bottle, his helplessness is so endearing.
Dr Karyn’s 10 Commandments For Profitable Pet Parenting – Half One and Half Two

Learn them right here:
Over the previous decade or so, I’ve discovered rather a lot about canine habits, coaching, obedience, and respect. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what number of pet dad and mom are doing their canine a disservice by being inconsistent and imprecise of their method to pet parenting. I’m actually not an ideal canine proprietor, and my strategies is probably not for everybody, however I’ve loved having the ability to give some pointers that may make these first few months a little bit simpler, and set your canine up for fulfillment (click on right here to learn Part 1 and Part 2). Canine are happiest once we are clear and constant about what we would like from them. It’s annoying and complicated for them when they’re being shouted at as adults for issues they had been allowed to get away with once they had been younger, and no pet proprietor must be saying the phrases “he/she gained’t let me do this.”
Trying Forward
As we stay up for extra chaos and enjoyable in 2025, we’d love to listen to from you. What – or who – do you need to know extra about? Have you ever received any burning questions on Kodah’s internal ideas or Fred’s ongoing rest room coaching (I’d similar to to go one week with no sneaky indoor poop!). Maybe you’d like me to exhibit one thing that’s confused or evaded you.
Drop me a line within the feedback part beneath, and I’ll see what the gang and I can do for you.
Wishing you all a 2025 filled with enjoyable and fur, from Ned, Fred, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, and myself.

This text is part of Dr. Karyn’s collection along with her 5 canine.
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