How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer Heat

Watch this great video for some easy tips on keeping your dog cool in the summer heat. Remember, never leave pets or children in vehicles in hot weather. What are your favorite tips and treats for keeping your dog cool? 

Video: How to Perform Dog CPR

Dog CPR could save your dog's life. Encourage all of your family members to watch this video, so you are prepared in case of an emergency. For more information, please consult your veterinarian.

Video: Three Girl Scouts Fighting Puppy Mills

Watch this heartwarming and informative plea from three Girl Scouts trying to stop puppy mills in Texas. They are encouraging people to contact their state legislators. Thanks to the ASPCA for tweeting the video. For more information about fighting puppy mills, read these tips from the ASPCA.

 

Westminster 2011 Best in Show: Video and Photos

For the first time, a Scottish Deerhound won best in show at Westminster. The winner, Hickory, lives on a farm in Virginia and is five-years-old. Here is a quote from a Yahoo News article about the win.

"By dog world standards, it was an upset. OK, maybe not quite as big as the Hickory Huskers winning the Indiana high school state basketball championship in the film 'Hoosiers,' but quite a surprise nonetheless."

You can watch a replay of Hickory's winning moment on TV Squad. Hickory's handler, Angela Lloyd, won the Junior Showmanship in 1998. Don't miss these fantastic photos of Hickory and Angela.

Westminster 2011: Preview Video and Television Schedule

Watch this video of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Press Conference on February 10, 2011. See the six new breeds that will compete in the show, and hear facts from the show co-host on USA Network, David Frei. The Icelandic Sheepdog is the first breed from Iceland to compete.




Below is the television viewing schedule. For more information and interesting facts about the show, read our earlier blog post.

NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 14
Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 15
Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

Breed judging highlight videos are available throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday on the Westminster Web site. These highlights will be available after the show, as well.

To our West Coast viewers: Please note that the West Coast telecast is delayed for your time zone. Since results are posted to our Web site as they occur live, if you want to enjoy the drama of the moment, please avoid the Westminster Web site after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on each evening.

Can Dogs Help Kids Improve Reading Skills?

This fascinating ABC News story shows that dogs can indeed help kids improve their reading skills. For a child struggling with reading, simply reading out loud to a dog can be comforting.

"A study this year by researchers at the University of California, Davis confirmed that children who read to Fido really do perform better. Young students who read out loud to dogs improved their reading skills by 12 percent over the course of a 10-week program, while children in the same program who didn't read to dogs showed no improvement."

For more details, watch this video of a teacher sharing her experiences with the Reading to Dogs Program.