October 2023

• In 1885, the first Beagle was registered with the American Kennel Club. His name was Blunder.

• The use of tick collars not only helps dogs, but humans, by lowering the incidence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Researchers in Baja California's San Quintín Valley say the collars are more effective at controlling the tick population than spraying neighborhoods with pesticides. Unfortunately, the long-acting collars run about $60 each, which is cost-prohibitive to the many poor families who live in the San Quintin area and struggle to even access running water.

• Dog trainer Sarah Bartlett says belly scratches for dogs should always be gentle with slow and steady light strokes.

• Are you hurting your dog’s feelings? You might be if you show anger toward them, take away their food while they're eating, push them away when they try to show affection by licking you, tease them by poking them or blowing on their nose or ears, or ignore them when they're feeling itchy without treating the cause. If you're annoyed by getting licked, try giving them a good ear rub instead so they don't feel rejected.

• Herm Sprenger is widely accepted as the earliest commercial producer of the now controversial pinch collar (also called prong collar), with prototypes dating back to 1876.