Meet my three dogs: (left) Shep, (middle) Faith, (right) Junee
Black Girl In a Doggone World™ (on Substack) 2022
This publication is for dog sitters, dog walkers, dog boarders, dog walkers, and (especially) Black folks who defy the stereotype that we're scared of or don't like dogs. Occasionally my complex feelings about cats come up too.
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $90 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "I Do See Color," "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
Follow "Black Girl In a Doggone World™" on social media:
Instagram @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld and Threads @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld
(Looking for BGIDW 2019-21? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here.)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $90 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "I Do See Color," "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
Follow "Black Girl In a Doggone World™" on social media:
Instagram @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld and Threads @BlackGirlDoggoneWorld
(Looking for BGIDW 2019-21? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here.)
57. Crate training gets tougher when dogs have company ~ Don't expect miracle crate training in weeks; it will take months
56. Dog poop litterer may not be as awful as you think ~ When even the dog surprises you on a dog walk
55. My love-hate relationship with dog clothes ~ And why I hate walking (other people's) dogs in the rain
54. Identify lost dogs: The other reason your dog selfies come in handy ~ The pet pics to help you identify your dog in an emergency
53. Why are puppies so annoying to adult dogs? ~ Pack behavior and why only time will make puppies calm down
52. Can dogs have carrots? ~ Yes, but with caution Don't treat a dog bone like a carrot stick
51. Why are dogs so unpredictable when greeting strangers and people they know? ~ Stopping your dog from peeing while greeting
50. When one dog mourns another dog ~ The one downside of finding your dog a playmate
49. Why all dog audio and TV shows don't work for every breed ~ If there's a bird or a bunny around, I get an automatic bicep workout
48. How often should you change your dog's toothbrush? ~ Best practices for pet hygiene and dog grooming
47. Best ways to take care of dry dog paws ~ Black people's medicine cabinets are stocked ahead of time
46. Owners can confirm pet training is complete ... from non-owners ~ Stop your dog from fleeing out of the door
45. Is it unprofessional for your pet to interrupt a video call? ~ Managers who don't like pets will always have a problem with yours
44. Leashing dogs to run errands? No thanks ~ Why I gave up on bringing my dog along for short tasks
43. The dog challenge: How to rent a pet-friendly car ~ While ride-sharing is common in a tech-driven world, dogs aren't always welcome
42. Do you REALLY need an emotional support animal letter? ~ Get familiar with local hangouts before paying for the ESA letter
41. Helping pet owners maintain a clean couch ~ Sweeper Sundays, rainy days and other home improvement tips for pets
40. My mom's dog thinks she's a cowgirl ~ The prideful moment that confirmed my dog is fully crate trained
39. When dogs let you know 'you're not the boss of me' ~ Never underestimate a puppy who likes her freedom
38. Goldilocks decisions: Finding a leash that's 'just right' ~ The leash and harness that works for one dog may be a nightmare for another
37. What I didn't expect to happen with a pet food puzzle ~ One way to make your dog slow down with overeating
36. The Dogfather of Harlem heads to Chicago, Cincinnati and Detroit in summer 2022 ~ Dog groomer's quest to complete free grooming for 10,000 dogs
35. Conquering dogs' habit of eating off the ground ~ What may look like pet-friendly food on the grass gets tricky
34. Are dogs unaffectionate or is your affection all wrong? ~ The myth about dogs not liking to be hugged
33. If you're sure you should blame one dog, it's probably the other dog's fault ~ The case of the dogsitting job and the doggie door mystery
32. Wag! swag: Why I'll forever support this dog-walking company ~ Video: Watch Junee's consistent reaction to any package delivery
31. If you cannot control your dog, head to training classes immediately ~ The wild dog on the block that makes me appreciate mine more
30. My dog needs to lose 5 lbs, and I should too ~ The most enjoyable way to go on a weight loss mission with your pup
29. Man’s best friend becomes retail’s best customer ~ How the evolution of families have changed pet ownership
28. Chicago suburb cracks down on excessively barking dogs ~ Tips for getting your dog to be quiet during night hours
27. Mandatory training: Fire safety for dogs ~ The other reason I rarely burn food is my judgmental dog
26. Pros and cons of running leashes ~ Watch your back (literally) when using a hands-free leash
25. Dog blanket or dog bed: Which is best? ~ Why do dogs chew holes in blankets?
24. Got a dog, lost weight ~ Figuring out a healthy balance between sedentary work and a four-legged fitness trainer
23. National Pet Month: Protecting domestic violence survivors ~ Where does the pet go in the middle of a domestic violence dispute?
22. Does my dog need a night light? ~ While dogs can see better at night, that doesn't mean they want to
21. When pollen is ruining your dog walks ~ Six ways to fight your way through spring allergies, global warming changes
20. How to handle dogs who are scared of rain ~ Tabitha Brown's Blackie dog weighed a rainy day versus poop on the floor
19. No, dog poop is not good for the grass ~ Keeping your dog away from dog feces, her own and other pets
18. Job negotiations: Health and pet benefits ~ Are pet insurance benefits rivaling human insurance perks for 2022 job seekers?
17. Pet cameras do double duty for puppy training ~ When the owners are away, the pets will play
16. How do I do yoga with a hyper dog nearby? ~ Mastering meditation with a four-legged roommate who wants to lick your face
15. Dog Haiku ~ Based on a true story about why my dog needs to fill out job applications
14. Be a dog sitter before you're a dog owner ~ Three things you need to know before adopting a new dog—even if you were a prior dog owner
13. Kroger's 'Proudly Made in USA' Pet Pride dog food raises questions ~ Before you feed your dog a pet food, read the bag, not just the website
12. My dog thinks she's a red light ~ How to get your dog to stop running in the street, barking at cars
11. My dog + my shoulders = Bad hair days ~ The day I picked my Hound mix up from an adoption shelter
10. 10 things that may happen when your dog falls asleep ~ And a sure thing if the dog falls asleep on or near you
9. When did my dog become a man hater? ~ Another reason to vary your dog walk routine
8. Black dog owners may have better memories ~ Own a pet for five years or more? Cognitive skills may improve for all
7. No, professional dog walkers aren't just teens ~ Being an African-American dog walker is rare but lucrative
6. Do black pet owners live longer than black non-pet owners? ~ Why I chose to participate in the Dog Aging Project
5. Combat the phobia of Black Dog Syndrome: Adopt a black pet ~ The myth behind the devil hiding in black dogs
4. Dog bloggers, sorry, your bully sticks aren't tax deductible ~ Navigating tax season and itemized lists for pet writers
3. No, Pope Francis, it’s not ‘risky’ to ‘deny motherhood’ ~ Get off pet owners’ backs about choosing dogs over babies
2. Dog silicone finger toothbrushes are overrated ~ Figuring out the best dog dental cleaning products
1. Boots or no boots: Winter season is no fun for dog paws ~ Is it necessary for all dogs to wear winter boots?
56. Dog poop litterer may not be as awful as you think ~ When even the dog surprises you on a dog walk
55. My love-hate relationship with dog clothes ~ And why I hate walking (other people's) dogs in the rain
54. Identify lost dogs: The other reason your dog selfies come in handy ~ The pet pics to help you identify your dog in an emergency
53. Why are puppies so annoying to adult dogs? ~ Pack behavior and why only time will make puppies calm down
52. Can dogs have carrots? ~ Yes, but with caution Don't treat a dog bone like a carrot stick
51. Why are dogs so unpredictable when greeting strangers and people they know? ~ Stopping your dog from peeing while greeting
50. When one dog mourns another dog ~ The one downside of finding your dog a playmate
49. Why all dog audio and TV shows don't work for every breed ~ If there's a bird or a bunny around, I get an automatic bicep workout
48. How often should you change your dog's toothbrush? ~ Best practices for pet hygiene and dog grooming
47. Best ways to take care of dry dog paws ~ Black people's medicine cabinets are stocked ahead of time
46. Owners can confirm pet training is complete ... from non-owners ~ Stop your dog from fleeing out of the door
45. Is it unprofessional for your pet to interrupt a video call? ~ Managers who don't like pets will always have a problem with yours
44. Leashing dogs to run errands? No thanks ~ Why I gave up on bringing my dog along for short tasks
43. The dog challenge: How to rent a pet-friendly car ~ While ride-sharing is common in a tech-driven world, dogs aren't always welcome
42. Do you REALLY need an emotional support animal letter? ~ Get familiar with local hangouts before paying for the ESA letter
41. Helping pet owners maintain a clean couch ~ Sweeper Sundays, rainy days and other home improvement tips for pets
40. My mom's dog thinks she's a cowgirl ~ The prideful moment that confirmed my dog is fully crate trained
39. When dogs let you know 'you're not the boss of me' ~ Never underestimate a puppy who likes her freedom
38. Goldilocks decisions: Finding a leash that's 'just right' ~ The leash and harness that works for one dog may be a nightmare for another
37. What I didn't expect to happen with a pet food puzzle ~ One way to make your dog slow down with overeating
36. The Dogfather of Harlem heads to Chicago, Cincinnati and Detroit in summer 2022 ~ Dog groomer's quest to complete free grooming for 10,000 dogs
35. Conquering dogs' habit of eating off the ground ~ What may look like pet-friendly food on the grass gets tricky
34. Are dogs unaffectionate or is your affection all wrong? ~ The myth about dogs not liking to be hugged
33. If you're sure you should blame one dog, it's probably the other dog's fault ~ The case of the dogsitting job and the doggie door mystery
32. Wag! swag: Why I'll forever support this dog-walking company ~ Video: Watch Junee's consistent reaction to any package delivery
31. If you cannot control your dog, head to training classes immediately ~ The wild dog on the block that makes me appreciate mine more
30. My dog needs to lose 5 lbs, and I should too ~ The most enjoyable way to go on a weight loss mission with your pup
29. Man’s best friend becomes retail’s best customer ~ How the evolution of families have changed pet ownership
28. Chicago suburb cracks down on excessively barking dogs ~ Tips for getting your dog to be quiet during night hours
27. Mandatory training: Fire safety for dogs ~ The other reason I rarely burn food is my judgmental dog
26. Pros and cons of running leashes ~ Watch your back (literally) when using a hands-free leash
25. Dog blanket or dog bed: Which is best? ~ Why do dogs chew holes in blankets?
24. Got a dog, lost weight ~ Figuring out a healthy balance between sedentary work and a four-legged fitness trainer
23. National Pet Month: Protecting domestic violence survivors ~ Where does the pet go in the middle of a domestic violence dispute?
22. Does my dog need a night light? ~ While dogs can see better at night, that doesn't mean they want to
21. When pollen is ruining your dog walks ~ Six ways to fight your way through spring allergies, global warming changes
20. How to handle dogs who are scared of rain ~ Tabitha Brown's Blackie dog weighed a rainy day versus poop on the floor
19. No, dog poop is not good for the grass ~ Keeping your dog away from dog feces, her own and other pets
18. Job negotiations: Health and pet benefits ~ Are pet insurance benefits rivaling human insurance perks for 2022 job seekers?
17. Pet cameras do double duty for puppy training ~ When the owners are away, the pets will play
16. How do I do yoga with a hyper dog nearby? ~ Mastering meditation with a four-legged roommate who wants to lick your face
15. Dog Haiku ~ Based on a true story about why my dog needs to fill out job applications
14. Be a dog sitter before you're a dog owner ~ Three things you need to know before adopting a new dog—even if you were a prior dog owner
13. Kroger's 'Proudly Made in USA' Pet Pride dog food raises questions ~ Before you feed your dog a pet food, read the bag, not just the website
12. My dog thinks she's a red light ~ How to get your dog to stop running in the street, barking at cars
11. My dog + my shoulders = Bad hair days ~ The day I picked my Hound mix up from an adoption shelter
10. 10 things that may happen when your dog falls asleep ~ And a sure thing if the dog falls asleep on or near you
9. When did my dog become a man hater? ~ Another reason to vary your dog walk routine
8. Black dog owners may have better memories ~ Own a pet for five years or more? Cognitive skills may improve for all
7. No, professional dog walkers aren't just teens ~ Being an African-American dog walker is rare but lucrative
6. Do black pet owners live longer than black non-pet owners? ~ Why I chose to participate in the Dog Aging Project
5. Combat the phobia of Black Dog Syndrome: Adopt a black pet ~ The myth behind the devil hiding in black dogs
4. Dog bloggers, sorry, your bully sticks aren't tax deductible ~ Navigating tax season and itemized lists for pet writers
3. No, Pope Francis, it’s not ‘risky’ to ‘deny motherhood’ ~ Get off pet owners’ backs about choosing dogs over babies
2. Dog silicone finger toothbrushes are overrated ~ Figuring out the best dog dental cleaning products
1. Boots or no boots: Winter season is no fun for dog paws ~ Is it necessary for all dogs to wear winter boots?