Leo (July 23-August 22)—Represented by the Lion and ruled by the Sun, the planet of personal identity, the ego, and authority. These dogs like to shine. They have energy to burn, and one way or another, they’re going to find ways to burn it. They want to play. They want to compete. Their strong wills can be either an asset or a problem, depending on how they’re managed. Leo pups need to start obedience training as early as possible. It will harness their physical and mental energy but don’t stop with puppy classes. These pooches want to show off their skills. Consider activities like guard dog training, tracking, and even fun sports like flyball, dancing, and agility. The worst thing you can do with Leo pups is ignore them. Leaving these dogs in the backyard all day will lead to neurotic behavior and property destruction.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)—Represented by the virgin (but think fussy schoolmarm) and ruled by Mercury. Like Leo, Virgos want to be in charge, but their way of taking control is to manipulate. You know those puppy dog eyes kids make? Get ready to see where that expression came from. These picky pups tend to be finicky eaters, choosy about toys, and will only go on walks in one direction. Why? Because that’s the right way to do it. Obvi! These dogs can also be talkative. Training them to accept changes in the environment, like taking different routes on outings, playing fetch with a different ball, and even offering different treats, will prevent rigidity. Beyond that, they do well with all activities that keep their minds active, so search-and-retrieval and advanced obedience training suit them well.

Libra (September 21-October 20)—Represented by the scales and ruled by Venus. These pooches are often physically attractive, flirtatious and social, but sometimes also indecisive and a bit scattered. They require positive, consistent training, and their tendency to distraction means you need to be patient. It’s not that they lack intelligence, but rather that they flit from one idea to the next. They want to be with you everywhere you go, and they want to interact with everyone they meet. Socialize them early with people and other dogs. It is important they learn to greet others appropriately. They love the outdoors, so they adore walks on trails where interaction with nature, people, and fellow fur babies all come together. They also enjoy lunch at that trendy outdoor café. You know. The one where all the other beautiful people are hanging out.

Scorpio (October 21-November 20)—Represented by the scorpion and ruled by Pluto, the planet of obsession, transformation, and even violence. These pooch pals can be tough and need humans who are up to the job of bringing out their best. Socialize and train throughout life. They can have a tendency toward aggression, and no matter the size of the pup, this cannot be tolerated. They also tend to be jealous, so they do best in single pet families. These canine companions get stressed easily and need plenty of daily exercise. When handled correctly, Scorpios love time with their favorite human, especially when the activities are kept low-key. Advanced obedience training will stimulate them and keep them in check without causing too much anxiety.

Sagittarius (November 21-December 20)—Represented by the archer and ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, exaggeration, and generosity. These happy dogs want to travel far and wide. Take them on trips and find opportunities where they can run free, but not too free. These pooches tend to take off and just keep going. It’s not that they want to run away from you. It’s just that like the arrow being released from the archer’s bow, they want to fly free. They can also be so enthusiastic they break social etiquette rules, which can make other dogs angry. To keep them safe, start training the recall (“come�) command from the second you bring your pal into your life. (Pro tip: This is not as easy as some people think. Get professional advice to get started.) Having a Saggi that will come on command will help ensure they don’t run away if they escape the leash, and it can help bring them back when other dogs look like they’ve had enough. These sociable pups do well in multi-pet households, so feel free to incorporate another fur-baby into the family.

Capricorn (December 21-January 20)—Represented by the mountain goat and ruled by Saturn, the planet of discipline, ambition, and boundaries. These dogs love rules, so they love training. They can become nervous if they don’t understand what’s going on. Bringing a new puppy into the home can be a problem because Cappies don’t like it when others misbehave. They might take the little one’s training into their own paws. If you do incorporate a puppy or kitten into the household, move slowly when introducing, supervise closely, and make sure you teach the youngster how to respect his or her Cappy elder. These intense characters do well with activities that give them a purpose, like carrying a backpack, guarding, or protecting. They may also enjoy hiking the trails but above and beyond all else, they love the rules of advanced obedience.

Aquarius, (January 21-February 20—Represented by the water bearer and ruled by Uranus, the planet of freedom and independence. This is the sign of the rebel. These dogs want to go their own way. If you say, “No digging!� you won’t have to search long to find holes in the yard. Train, train, train. Depending on the breed, Aquarians can do well in team activities like flyball, relay, or even herding. This is also the dog that could enjoy being on the surfboard with you. They love other animals, all kinds of animals, so bring in that guinea pig you’ve been longing for. Don’t get hurt feelings if your dog doesn’t always want cuddles. They need time alone to recharge, so they can come back and amaze you with their brilliance.

Pisces (February 20-March 20)—Represented by the fish and ruled by Neptune, the planet of idealism and spiritual union. These sensitive souls live to cuddle. They are empathic and will feel all your emotions, so they don’t do well in chaotic environments and don’t do well with rambunctious children. In the right setting, like adult wards of hospitals and senior homes, they can make brilliant therapy dogs. They enjoy activities like doggie dancing and canine yoga but don’t let their sweetness fool you. They have an independent streak and use stealth when they want to break a rule but when they do, get ready for the eyes of remorse when you catch them.

In honor of Sirius, the original dog star, the long dog days provide canine lovers everywhere extra time to deepen their relationships and find new ways of honoring their fur friend’s unique gifts. Flyball probably won’t start up again until our world returns to something that resembles normal, but the trails are just waiting to be explored and doggie dance lessons can be found on YouTube. Samba anyone? n

Kait Leonard is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, who applies research-based techniques to train dogs and other animals. She is also a professional psychic who gazes at the stars, Tarot cards, and a crystal ball to provide a wide range of astrological and spiritual services. She will be contributing a monthly astrology column (for humans) starting in September. Her website and YouTube channel, Stir the Cauldron, will be launching in August.