Wedding Planning Must-Do's

Congratulations! You are freshly engaged and ready to dive right into the wedding planning. Don’t let your excitement make you overlook some important "musts." Here are some important must-do’s to remember:

Weddings: Things I Wished I'd Known Before...

Food Ideas for Themed Weddings

Wedding Day Disasters & What to Do!

Exes: Should You Invite Them to Your Wedding?

Sweetheart Table vs. Head Table

Having Baby in Your Wedding

Bye Bye, Bridesmaid

After a lot of stressful thought and consideration, you have come to the conclusion that you will have to let your bridesmaid go. Maybe she lost her job and you want to save her the worry over the costs associated with your wedding. Or, you may feel that she wants a way out, so you decide to be the one to give her the out that she wants. This happens often when someone is initially thrilled and excited to be in your wedding party, but then they don't seem so interested in being a part of your planning. I have witnessed bridesmaids who have made lives difficult for brides by refusing to be a part of wedding festivities and I also had a bride who demoted her Maid of Honor to bridesmaid status, when she realized she made a mistake and had someone else in mind. Ouch! Whatever the reason you may have to 'fire' a bridesmaid or your Maid of Honor, be tactful and do it respectfully saving as much heartache and resentment as possible.

How Not to Raise a Princess

It's hard not to trace a dotted line to the parents when you see entitled, spoiled, over-spenders on shows like Gail Vaz-Oxlade's Princess. What led these young women to prioritize monthly grooming, shopping, and entertainment to the detriment of their personal finances—or worse, to the detriment of their friends' and family's finances?

Guilty Pleasures: Indulge Me

If there's one thing we can confirm about human nature, it's our willingness to dive head first into guilty pleasures. For in that moment, when you decide to take that plunge, all is right with the world.

Ask An Expert: Brad, Why Does My Dog Misbehave When Other Dogs Are Around?

Q: Hello, I enjoy watching your show. My dog is 2 years old and everytime i take him for a walk, once he sees another dog or sometimes people he starts to bark loudly and get out of control and it is embarassing. Not sure of what I can do. He has already gone to dog school.

Ask An Expert: Brad, I Have A Dog That Jumps Up! Please Help!

Q: Dear Brad, I have a three year old Boston Terrier who always jumps up on hind legs on peoples legs when meeting or greeting them. How can I stop this behavior? Can you help me please?

Ask An Expert: Brad, How Can We Get Our Puppy To Not "Go" In The House?

Q: Hello, I have a one year old Morkie (Maltese/Yorkie) and she is very impatient. When we first got her, she was bouncing off the walls, but has since calmed down as we walk her about 1 1/2 hours a day. My question is when she needs to go to the bathroom if you are not at the door right away and I mean in about a minute, she won't wait.

Ask An Expert: Brad, Should I Be Running With Our Boxer?

Hi Brad, what is a good breed to run with? We have a boxer and my boyfriend says that it's okay to run with him but I have heard differently. What is your thought on this?

Ask An Expert: Brad, Should I Train My Dog With Treats?

Q: Why do you say dog treats are bad for training your dog? We have watched all of your shows and you never use a treat, but you always have success and we can't get the same success as you do. Please help!

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Is Having Sneezing Attacks!

Q: Brad how concerned should I be about my dog having sneezing attacks?

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Puppy Barks, Bites & Causes Trouble At Home!

Q: I've had my puppy, Bella, for a few weeks now, and she is chaotic. She doesn't listen at all and she barks and bites whenever I tell her "no". She's okay with going to the bathroom, she will go outside. I take her for walks, I let her run around the back yard with me. But she just runs around the house back and forth, no matter how much I do things with her. It's causing fights at home with my parents because they're tired of their stuff being destroyed (she eats everything).

Ask An Expert: Jane, How Do We Go About Getting A Wedding Planner?

Q: My best mate is getting married next year september time. I have just spent 4 hours with her crying saying she doesn't know where to start. Must say, she has don't a little but she is doing most of it on her own as her fiance is doing up the house. So I was thinking of a wedding planner. How much should she be looking at to pay for one?

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Ignores Me In Certain Situations! Please Help!

Q: Hey Brad! You're an amazing trainer! My puppy (also Bella) is doing great thanks to your show. She is a 3 month old German Shepard and can already do a sit/stay, paw, and lay down. She doesn't even bark when visitors come knocking. I do however, need some help with the "Come" command if she’s in the sit/stay. No problem except for if she’s playing or distracted she ignores me help!

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Is Very Agressive! Please Help!

Q: Brad, my 4 yr old shih-tzu is a nightmare! Very, very aggressive! I'm really worried he will bite one of my children's friends.

The Dog Blog: Doggie Do-Do

Best thing about owning a dog - unconditional love. Worst thing about owning a dog - picking up their doggie do-do. There's nothing I hate more than having to walk around scooping up her loads but I know it's part of the deal being a dog owner.

Ask An Expert: Jane, When Should We Have Our Engagement Party?

Q: Hi Jane! We’ve just gotten engaged and we were wondering if we should have an engagement party. If so how many people do we invite, how long after the engagement do you host an engagement party. (Oct 2010- engagement, I was thinking Feb 2011 to have the party….is that too late? Please help us!!

The Dog Blog: Sleeping Dogs Lie...

The way my dog sleeps is absolutely bizarre, yet humourous at the same time. I've often thought about all the weird little things Google does before, during or after her sleeps that after time either make me laugh or drive me crazy.

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Is Very Destructive During My Absence. Please Help!

Q: Brad, my dog is very destructive when we’re leaving him during the day. I would hate to crate train him, but at the same time, I have heard positive things about doing this. What is your view about crate training dogs and would you recommend it?

Ask An Expert: Brad, Is It Necessary To Dress Up The Pooch?

Q: Brad, is it really necessary to fall into the routine of dressing up the pooch for a walk? We have a boston terrier and I don’t really want to dress her up like a doll for a walk. What should I buy so I can walk her in the winter and she would be comfortable?

Ask An Expert: Jane, I Need To Plan My Wedding! Please Help!

As I have just recently been propsed to, and now planning on a city hall wedding. My small ceremony (Probably only a ceremony not a recepiton due to finances) in February (Valentine's weekend) I would love to know what to do list you could provide me with.

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Sheds A Lot! Please Help!

Q: Hi Brad, I have a dog that sheds a lot with the seasons. Is there anything we can do to help groom him so he’s not shedding all over my furniture? He’s a Golden Retriever.

The Dog Blog: Falling Into Fall

I'm glad to report that with the changing of seasons from summer to fall (my absolute favourite), our growing family has spent the last week enjoying as much 'team time' as possible outside.

The Dog Blog: On A Stroll

First off, thanks to everyone for all your comments as of late. As I've confessed, I'm a dog lover but far from an expert. I do my best to provide a safe and happy home, but continue to work with my boxer to train her (and me) on many aspects of our co-existence.

The Dog Blog: Little Miss Jealous

It's official - our dog is jealous of our new baby boy, Hudson. We tried our best, coaxing friends and relatives who come to visit the newborn into "overdoing" the greetings with Google so she doesn't feel left out. But it's hard not to become fixated on a new baby, and partially ignore all else in the surroundings including an adorable boxer.

The Dog Blog: On the Defensive

It looks like our little Google has become the self-appointed guardian for our new baby in the house. We've had a steady stream of visitors to meet the new addition since his birth, and one thing we've come to notice is how protective Google has become of him when guests start holding the baby. It doesn't really matter who the person is, whether it's someone she's met dozens of times or just a couple, our dog has this inkling to have to be near our son regardless of who is holding him.

Ask An Expert: Brad, I Can't Leave The House Without The Dog!

Q: Hi brad I adopted a dog form the local SPCA - this dog has been abandoned in the past. He has a very good temperment and is learning to obey my commands. The problem is that I can’t leave him home alone without him tearing at the door. I have been trying different exercises such as leaving him for short periods and coming back and also a lot of walks, but his progress does not seem to be getting better.

The Dog Blog: Labour Day - Google Meets Baby

It's official - my first blog as a new mom for a gorgeous baby boy, and still proud owner of the world's cutest boxer.

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Is Prone To Ear Infections! Any Advice?

Q: Brad, our Golden Retriever loves to swim at the cottage, but sometimes ends up with a nasty ear infection after. Are there any products or advice you can give us to help us control these infections? Maybe there’s some preventative maintenance that we can do to prevent this from happening.

The Dog Blog: Google, My Little iPhone 4 Subject

It’s no shock to friends and colleagues that I was at the right place at the right time when the launch of the new iPhone 4 arrived in Canada a couple Fridays ago. I’ve literally been walking around to meetings with it, bragging about it, slipping “iPhone 4” into conversations that literally have nothing to do with the iPhone 4 – see, just did it again.

The Dog Blog: Waiting For Baby

Whether or not she realizes it, Google and I are officially waiting for the baby to arrive. This week, my mat leave started (baby is literally due any day now) and the second day she's already somewhat thrown off her schedule.

Tips To Buying The Perfect Wedding Cake!

In the planning of a wedding, one of the important things that a bride should think about is the wedding cake. Although taken for granted sometimes, it does become a really stylish focal point to any wedding celebration.

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Eats Way Too Quickly!

Q: What is the best way to slow my dog down with food. I am moving him over to raw soon but right now he eats orijen. He is a 3 year old amarican eskimo and he just swallows it all. I am afraid when i switch him to raw, he may choke if he does that.

The Dog Blog: The Dog Days Of Summer

Google is an absolutely fan of the summertime… We keep a close eye on her during the humid days and keep her inside with the air conditioning and cool as much as possible, but come the weekend she’s happiest outside sun tanning on the deck. (I often dab a little sunblock on her nose and ears if I know she’s going to be outside for more than say, half an hour.)

Ask An Expert: Brad, What Are The Best/Worst Dog Toys?

Q: Brad, there’s tons of toys for dogs out there. Could you make suggestions on the best/worst dog toys? We don’t want our dog to become sick/swallow anything that could harm him. He’s a German Sheppard and loves to play rough with toys.

Ask An Expert: Brad, My Dog Drinks From The Toilet. Please Help!

Q: Brad, our dog has come into the habit of drinking from the toilet, and I'd love to get him out of the habit through training. Would you know of any training methods you would suggest to break him from the habit? I know leaving the toilet lid closed is one thing, but our guests forget to close it when they're done. I'd rather eliminate the habit.

The Dog Blog: Google Getting Ready for Baby

The good news is that my husband and I are literally expecting a baby boy (our first human addition to our growing family) any day now. The bad news is that Google is starting to get jealous.

Ask An Expert: Brad, What's The Best Collar For My New Dog?

Q: Hi there Brad, there are so many different collars and harnesses out there for dogs and as we have just become owners to a puppy for the first time, we'd love to have the best for him. Do you have any advice on what type of collars or harness you would recommend for a Boston Terrier pup? Thanks, Tom

The Dog Blog: Google Takes The Lead – Part 4

We’ve reached the final clip in Google’s web series, Google Takes The Lead, with At The End of My Leash’s host, Brad Pattison. So far in the series, we’ve covered a lot of the basics: pulling, jumping and taking control. Now it’s time for Google to have a little fun!

The Dog Blog: Google Takes The Lead – Part 3

So here we arrive at episode three in Google’s web series, Google Takes The Lead, with At The End of My Leash’s host, Brad Pattison. This time, we (or should I say I) learn all about control. It seems I haven’t been taking the lead when it comes to this persistent pooch but luckily, Brad is there to help guide the way.

The Dog Blog: Google Takes The Lead – Part 2

As we hit the second week in her series, Google finds herself talking with the At the End of My Leash star, Brad Pattison, about another little issue she sometimes runs into... the urge to pull hard on her leash when going down the stairs. This could be a bit of a problem, especially when I'm pregnant.

Ask An Expert: Jane, He Has Cold Feet! Please Help!

Q: Ever since my boyfriend proposed, he had changed, personality-wise. I don’t know if it’s because we’re undergoing the stresses of planning our wedding (it’s happening in the fall), or he’s starting to get cold feet. When I try to talk to him he snubs me. I don’t want to get married or start making plans to find out that we’re not on the same page anymore. We’ve been together for 6 years and have always been compatible. Do you encounter this often? If so, do you have any advice for us?

The Dog Blog: Google Takes The Lead With Brad Pattison Launches!

Well my four-legged friends (and people too), not too long ago Google had a chance to meet the one and only Brad Pattison from the hit Slice series, At the End of My Leash! We spent a morning with him shooting a series of tutorial clips to help me (and her) work on some of her training issues. Officially, we’re ready for the reveal. I introduce to you the first in this four-part web series titled, “Google Takes the Lead with Brad Pattison” which launches a new segment every week right here at slice.ca.

Ask An Expert: Brad, How Can I Keep My Dog Healthy/Happy Outdoors In The Heat?

Q: Brad, right now we’re going through some pretty hot weather. Would you be able to give me some pointers on how to keep the pooch happy and healthy while spending time outdoors? It’s summer and I love to spend time outside, but I don’t want it to be too much for him.

Ask An Expert: Gary, How Should I Deal With My Son's Slipping Grades?

Q: My son just came in with his report card this week and for once in a long time, he's gone downhill in his marks. I'm not sure how to approach him about this, but I think I have to do something to figure out why this all of a sudden is happening. Nothing appears to have changed. Can you give me pointers on how to deal with this?