Often, signs of separation anxiety in dogs are misinterpreted as misbehavior. Figure out if your dog is in a state of panic and how to help him when you leave the house! Continue Reading >
Have you and your dog mastered the elusive art of recall? You can work to train your dog to always return to you when off leash! Continue Reading >
The canine flu poses a low threat to people, but can make your dog seriously sick. These tips can help keep your dog healthy through any dog flu outbreaks! Continue Reading >
Herding dogs are some of the smartest, loyalest dogs you'll ever meet. With a bit of understanding on your part - and the right levels of activity - your working dog can live happily in the city, even withouth a herd of livestock to tend! Continue Reading >
When you have decided you want to adopt or buy any pet, it is vital to make decisions with your head AND your heart. Continue Reading >
Dogs are just as much part of your family as your other family members. There’s no denying they show you love, you may just not realize it until the signs are pointed out to you! Continue Reading >
The intelligence of a pedigree is generally measured in one of two ways: the ability to follow new commands and their ability to perform them at least 9 times out of 10. Continue Reading >
When done properly, crating can be a very good experience for your dog. Continue Reading >
Giving your pet a luxurious life doesn’t have to be time-consuming, and you can provide for your pet even if you’re short on time. Continue Reading >
While some types of aggression can be reduced and sometimes cured, pet parents should never let down their guard. Continue Reading >
Thinking of traveling but can’t bear to leave your furry friend behind? You don’t have to! With these simple tips, you can ensure that your dog is along for the ride. Continue Reading >
No matter what behavioral problems you face with your dog, positive reinforcement training reshapes your dog’s behavior using kindness and praise. Continue Reading >
“Fighting like cats and dogs.” The old saying has some truth behind it, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Continue Reading >
There was a very special dog named Cocoa who always seemed to understand what I was feeling and was always there for me. Continue Reading >
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to things in their environment and to their food. They can even experience seasonal allergies! Continue Reading >
A dog is for life . . . not just for Christmas, according to an old saying Continue Reading >
You’re a responsible pet owner and your dog rocks, of course. With some training, you can get the AKC to back you up on that . . . and you get a title to brag about! Continue Reading >
When choosing to own a dog, you are choosing to positively impact your life by gaining a priceless bond, and you will find yourself wondering how you ever lived without a four-legged, furry friend. Continue Reading >
Traveling on vacation can be an enriching experience, especially if you get to enjoy a location you’ve never been to before. Yet, leaving our beloved dogs behind can be difficult at the best of times, let alone for a week or more. If you’ve been thinking of taking your pooch on a trip with you, here is how you can avoid any travel mishaps. Continue Reading >
You’re bringing home a new best friend. No, it’s not a new roommate or a friend from work or college. Instead, you’ve found one with four legs and covered in fur. Continue Reading >
Your house is on the market, and you are hoping for plenty of showings. Cleaning and preparing the house is probably the first thing on your mind. However, you also need to start thinking about your dog. If you have one or more dogs in your household, you are in good company. Continue Reading >
Much like humans, getting your dog to exercise is necessary for their health. Your dog may get bored of just roaming the yard around your house. You may want to consider taking him on an adventure, such as hiking. Going hiking can provide several benefits - Here are some of those benefits. Continue Reading >
Who among us hasn’t wished that our dog could talk to us? The truth is, however, our dogs communicate with us every single day. Their body language speaks volumes about their moods, their needs, and how they feel about you, their owner. Continue Reading >
For many dog owners, going out in public with their pooch is inevitable. They take their pups to restaurants and on trips, allowing them to be a part of the family every day. In many cases, these dogs become comfortable enough with their excursions to get socialized, meaning they can easily handle being around people and other dogs. Some pets, however, need a little training before they’re ready to hang out in public spaces, both for their comfort and everyone’s safety. Continue Reading >
When humans experience back pain, they will often see a chiropractor, but did you know that there are chiropractors that will treat your pet too? Yes, animal chiropractic is a real veterinary practice that is backed by the Animal Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA). Many pet owners are sold on chiropractic – and it isn’t necessarily new. Continue Reading >
I vaguely remember this incident from the time when I was a toddler. I felt a gentle tug at my skirt while I was loitering in the corridors of our old Assam-type* house. I looked down to find a tiny snout peeking out through an opening in a wooden box, biting at the flowy material. It was a German Spitz that my uncle had brought along on his trip home. Continue Reading >
Imagine you are sitting on your couch, but are really craving a soda or a water. Wouldn’t it be nice to just be able to send your dog to go retrieve you something to quench your thirst? Or what about those large grocery hauls? Wouldn’t your furry companion be the perfect extra set of hands to help you carry those bags into the house? Lots of these types of tasks are teachable to any dog with the proper foundation and motivation. But how do you even get started in teaching something more complex like this? Learning and understanding the concept of backchaining can be a very helpful theoretical foundation to assist you in teaching these behaviors. Continue Reading >
It's often said dog is Man’s best friend. Through ups and down, through highs and lows, a dog will sense your feelings and be with you, faithfully and unconditionally. I've never known what it is to have a pet dog, neither the pros nor cons that come with it, if any. This is just a personal story on how I overcame my fear for dogs. Continue Reading >
As a whole, many of the dogs that I see come in for training arrive on my doorstep due to unsavory behaviors that a client is trying to train out of their dog. Many of these behaviors revolve around fear or aggression, such as reactivity. Removing undesirable behaviors from a dog’s natural set of responses can prove to be a challenging task - it does not happen immediately, and it requires some systematic work to help a dog to replace a poor behavior pattern with something that is more desirable. Continue Reading >
Canine obesity is a significant problem in the United states. An estimated 54% of dogs are obese or overweight. An obese dog is an unhealthy dog, a ticking time bomb. It is a suffering animal, often enduring great pain and has a shortened life span to look forward to. The problem is, many owners don’t acknowledge that there is a problem or don’t understand they are subjecting their dog to very serious health risks. Continue Reading >
Before we adopted dogs into their modern, cushy lifestyle, they used their many natural skills in the pursuit of food. We also used dogs for work, such as herding, hunting, and search and rescue. Continue Reading >
New dog owner here, and I am going to talk about poop. Or what happened to make me completely obsessed with my dog’s business. Continue Reading >
Previously, we discussed how to begin to build a recall with your dog. While for many dogs those steps help to build a reliable recall, some dogs are more easily distracted and will need some additional work to help further proof this behavior. Nothing beats the guidance of a one-on-one trainer, but below you will find some skills to practice to help build motivation for the recall. Continue Reading >
“Little Big Mouth.” That’s what one of our neighbors nicknamed our undersized English Setter Mix, who’s real name is Payton. The nom de guerre is well deserved though. Payton barely passed the 26 lb mark and everyone thinks she’s a puppy by her high energy levels, LOUD BORKS, and small stature. In reality though she’s somewhere between 8-10 years old and has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. Continue Reading >
Many humans mistakenly believe that dogs get plenty of exercise by running around the backyard chasing whatever bounces into their boundaries. But nothing could be further from the truth, and the majority of activities dogs do on their own are in short bursts and don’t offer any real benefits. Dogs, like humans, thrive when their bodies stay in motion. Young dogs, especially, need regular exercise to expend pent-up energy. And when you exercise with your dog, you create a bond and establish patterns of good behavior. Continue Reading >
Everyone has that dream of being able to take their pup off leash at a park or the beach, but that dream can frequently turn into a nightmare if your dog does not have a reliable recall. Because the outside world can be SO stimulating for most dogs, this can be a very difficult command to build since distractions are more than prevalent. Fundamental skills should be developed to help build consistency for a solid recall. Continue Reading >
“The ASPCA believes that pets and people belong together; that financial circumstances alone are not reliable indicators of the capacity to love and care for a companion animal, and that strong bonds between people and pets make for stronger communities.” - ASPCA Continue Reading >
Teaching a dog tricks not only helps to build engagement for training, but it can also bring fresh enthusiasm to your regimen, mentally challenge your dog, and encourage skills that can be used for other tasks or for physical conditioning. Many tricks can build off of a handful of core skills that we can teach to help build more complex behaviors down the road. Continue Reading >
“Ouch!” Playtime can be rough when you have a new puppy, and their little teeth can hurt. Trust me, I know. Nipping has been the bane of my toe’s existence for the past month, but I am now happy to say that our family pup, Lake, has finally lightened his touch. Here’s how we did it: Continue Reading >
When you turn your dog out in the yard, you don’t usually think about organic hazards that may be growing within the confines of your fence. The truth is, there are many types of plants that can make your dog sick – or worse – and mushrooms top the list. Continue Reading >
As a Bay Area native, I am deeply aware of the challenges that come along with living in this amazing place. Scare apartments, high rental costs, and most importantly, the limited selection in places that are dog friendly. With so many people having dogs and so few availabilities, knowing how to best market yourself and your dogs can go a long way in being able to secure your new home! Continue Reading >
My beautiful chocolate lab, Angie, was not my first lab or my first rescue dog when I adopted her more than five years ago. But, she was the first in many other ways. Continue Reading >
Dog stress is real! Just like humans, our little lads and lasses need comfort and serenity, too, particularly in these uncertain times. In 2018, a few standout products emerged as dog favorites, according to several industry experts. Continue Reading >
We were far from civilization. There were no police stations nearby. Nothing. So what do we do? How do we save the dogs? Continue Reading >
While growing up in Assam, we were familiar with the fact that there are certain sections of people in Northeast India that eat dog meat. Dog meat is a delicacy in Northeastern states in India like Mizoram and Nagaland, much like mutton, pork and beef are for other communities. Continue Reading >
If you’re a true animal lover, you may have no issue with letting your dog cozy up in bed with you. With conflicting information about whether it’s good for your dog to even sleep in the same bed, it’s hard to determine if it’s even a healthy habit. Here are some reasons why it’s okay to let your pup jump on in bed with you tonight. Continue Reading >
Chewing is a natural part of a dog’s well being. Chewing on toys or other healthy items is beneficial for a dog’s mental health and sense of comfort. Beware of the following items below, however, because they can cause your dog more harm than good. Continue Reading >
Dental hygiene is just as important for dogs as is for humans. In fact, according to Billings Animal Family Hospital, keeping up with your dog’s dental hygiene is not simply aesthetic; It can add two to four years to your dog’s life. Continue Reading >
My friends with rescue pups often talk about how their dogs choose them. Continue Reading >
Walk into a pet store, and you will find at least one aisle dedicated to tools to walking your dog on a leash. Walk down the next aisle, and you are sure to find more equipment dedicated to training - everything from treats and clickers, to crates and pee pads, wanting a well behaved furry family member has become a huge market for the sale of a wide variety of training equipment. So how do you decide what is the best for your dog? And most importantly, what actually works? Continue Reading >
San Francisco has great weather nearly all year round, which is why so many of us love to spend time together as a family (dogs included) in the garden. If you are thinking of bringing a pup home for the first time, however, you may be surprised to learn that your garden may pose risks to your pup’s safety. Organization, the right selection of plants, and escape prevention are just a few steps you can take to ensure Fido is safe and sound while frolicking in the back (or front) yard. Continue Reading >
Getting a dog to offer a new behavior with increased frequency in order to put it on cue requires precise marking and reward timing. In my experience, I find that I utilize two major techniques when trying to implement a new behavior into my dog’s repertoire - luring and free shaping. Continue Reading >
There is no better feeling that having the confidence in your dog to be able to comfortably let them off of their leash and know, without doubt, that they will come back to you when called. It is an elusive accomplishment for many dog owners, and probably the most frequently stated goal for new clients coming in for training. Continue Reading >
You bring home your new pup and you’re completely in love with your new addition to your family. With all the excitement over your new dog, you may not have considered training him. Once he starts chewing on shoes and barking like crazy at the neighbors, there’s no better time to start training. You can train your dog yourself with some useful resources online or you can contact a professional dog trainer. Continue Reading >
You’ve probably heard of or seen service dogs for the blind, but did you know there are also service dogs who help people with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health impairments? Psychiatric service dogs (PSD’s) are trained to perform tasks that help a person who has a psychiatric illness. Continue Reading >
Leash reactivity, sometimes also called leash aggression, is one of the most common problems prospective clients come in wanting to address with their dogs. It can make walk time extremely uncomfortable, even though it should be an enjoyable activity for both you and your dog. So what is leash reactivity? Where does it come from? Continue Reading >
According to Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T, approximately 800,000 dog bites every year in the United States are severe enough to require medical treatment. Out of these serious dog bites, around 17 are fatal. According to the same statistics, 50 percent of American children experience a dog bite by age 13. Continue Reading >
Many animal lovers are familiar with the many ways to help shelters contend with their abundance of abandoned, abused, and unwanted pets. You rescue, volunteer, or donate money and supplies, but there is another, lesser-known way to assist these shelters in their mission. Continue Reading >
Is there anything cuter than a captured moment between a young child and a dog? There is something about those interactions that melt my heart. But with all of that cuteness, comes the challenge of properly acclimating a dog to a new human to help set them both up for a successful relationship. Recently, there have been some difficult to watch videos circulating around social media with dogs being pushed past their limits and redirecting their frustration on a child. These incidents are preventable, and it is time that proper techniques for introduction and management were addressed. Continue Reading >
The end of the year is approaching in a haze of gift wrapping and holiday merriment. Puppies in Santa hats gaze out at us from Christmas cards, and many people are inspired to leave a puppy of their own under the tree. But before you rush out, there are some important issues that need to be considered: Continue Reading >
An alarming number of adoptable pets are becoming euthanized in the United States. The unfortunate reason – Too many pets are brought into shelters and not enough people will consider adoption. There are several reasons why adopting is better than buying. Continue Reading >
So the unthinkable happens. Sweet little (insert dog name) loses their bone for a second and ends up biting somebody before you can stop them. Argh! Now what?! Don’t worry I will talk you through it. Continue Reading >
Committing to having a well behaved, furry member of society requires dedication to the entire well being of a dog. A great first step to achieving this goal is to enroll your dog in training classes. Not only does this help you to teach your dog good manners, but it also helps you to build a working relationship and line of communication with your dog that will carry throughout their lives Continue Reading >
I was on my way home from a work trip when I received a text from my boyfriend that he was taking our 4-year-old pitbull terrier, Bentley, to the emergency vet because he had temporarily lost control of his back legs. Continue Reading >
Like with most holidays or big celebrations, when Halloween comes around we can get pretty self-absorbed. In our quest to host a perfect party, build a perfect costume, or make our house the best house for trick-or-treaters on the block, we may forget about how our dogs feel about all of this hustle and bustle. Here’s how to make sure your dog stays safe and happy this Halloween. Continue Reading >
Try as we might, sometimes challenges arise with a dog that are very difficult to train out of them. Dog to dog aggression can often be one of those challenges. Even dogs that were social as puppies can develop dog aggression or selectivity due to bad experiences, over zealous play, or maturation that creates intolerance. Continue Reading >
If you’re like most people, you choose a puppy because they’re too cute to ignore. Maybe your parents had a particular breed and you think you’d like that same sort of dog. The first tip in finding a breed that suits you, is to be bluntly honest with yourself. Continue Reading >
Store-bought dog biscuits are not only expensive, they also contain ingredients that may be harmful to your pup. So why not make your own? Homemade dog treats are not only easy to make but healthy as well! With ingredients like peanut butter and vegetables, these three treat recipes are delicious and nutritious. Continue Reading >
Take a walk around your neighborhood. Chances are within a couple of blocks, you will pass things like benches, fire hydrants, planter ledges, mail boxes, etc. To the average person, these are just everyday objects that do not attract much attention. Now imagine your dog being able to balance on these objects, walk across them, or jump up onto new surfaces - your mundane neighborhood walk just took on a whole new life! I fondly refer to the utilization of these everyday objects as “urban agility”. Continue Reading >
When I first started undergrad at the University of Georgia, along with the hundreds of frightened freshmen wandering around with maps, I started noticing that there were dozens of clumsy little puppies on campus with students. Each wore a tiny yellow vest that read, Guide Dog Foundation. Continue Reading >
Ticks are pesky – both for pets and humans alike. And it’s not just because their bites are itchy. Did you know that they can make you sick? Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and spotted fever. In dogs, they can lead to anemia, blood loss, tick paralysis, and skin irritation. Continue Reading >
One of the most challenging experiences for owners and their dogs can be visits to the vet. Tension runs high, so very often, dogs will exhibit behaviors they never do anywhere else. Teaching your dog handling skills to make checkups and other vet visits less of an ordeal can make these trips much less traumatic for both the dog and their person. Continue Reading >
Who doesn’t love summer time?! The barbeques, the beach, the long days, the vacations, and most importantly, the extra time with your pooch! While most people love the warmth of the summer, those day that are brutally hot for people are just as tough on the dogs. Here are some tips and tricks to keeping your dog cool (and safe!) during those scorching days. Continue Reading >
Have you ever looked another creature in the eye and felt an instant bond? Continue Reading >
Like many other hot topics in dog training, the use of a muzzle has a lot of stigma around it. For most people, seeing a muzzled dog walking down the street automatically causes feelings of panic as the dog is assumed to be unpredictable. There are many positive uses for a muzzle, and ensuring any dog is properly muzzle trained can be a huge relief should any situation arise where your dog might have to don one of these Hannibal Lecter masks. Continue Reading >
While the term “mangy mutt” is insulting, there’s no question many rescue dogs suffer from this skin condition. Common types of mange are found in dogs, sarcoptic mange – or scabies – and demodectic mange. Continue Reading >
Off-leash hikes are a great way for your pup to experience the great outdoors but what happens when he catches the scent of a squirrel or other critter and takes off? Enter the connected pet, the latest market segment to be disrupted, that offers many emerging gadgets meant to help you keep track of your pet and their activities. Continue Reading >
Every trainer has a repertoire of commands that they find to be most useful in their training programs and the way they work their clients’ dogs. One commands I find to be extremely useful and common across all trainers is the use of a ‘place’ command. Continue Reading >
Positive reinforcement isn’t just for kids, it’s ideal for dogs as well. Figure out the best reward your dog would respond to best, whether it’s a treat, playtime, a new Frisbee, or even verbal praise. Dogs love knowing their humans are approving of them and their behavior. Most dogs strive to be loyal to their owners so when praise and rewards are involved, dogs know their mission was accomplished. Continue Reading >
Dog parks are a hot topic amongst dog trainers. On one hand, they are wonderful places to socialize your dog with fellow dog lovers. On the flip side, they can be the source of many health and behavioral complications for dogs. This article is not meant to sway you one way or another, but more to discuss the pros and cons of the utilization of dog parks. Continue Reading >
Helping your dog with their fear aggression takes a lot of time and effort on your part. It's possible to manage their behaviors, but there is no real "cure" for any aggression. But here are some things you can do to help. Continue Reading >
We have all heard that old myth that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. We don’t need the Mythbusters blowing something up to prove how busted this myth is. Continue Reading >
There is a lot of buzz around the various types of dog training available. From purely positive to compulsive training, every trainer has their theories on what method is the most successful (for the broadest range of dogs). Ultimately though, all theories are based off of interpretations and study on dog behavior and how they learn. Continue Reading >
One day you may decide to bring your favorite four legged friend on a boat ride. Maybe you will kayak or canoe around a local watering hole, or take a ferry out to a nearby island. Here are some things you should think about before hitting the water with your dog. Continue Reading >
Challenges with dogs come in many shapes. From health problems to aggression, many dogs struggle with a wide array of behavioral problems that often bring them through the doors of a training facility. Having handled and train hundreds of dogs of all breeds, I often get asked what the most difficult dog is to train. Continue Reading >
Many dog-owners are opting to travel with their dogs as airlines, hotels, and even restaurants are becoming more pet-friendly. Traveling with your dog can be a wonderful experience that not only strengthens your bond, but also helps you save money on pet care. Continue Reading >
A lot of forums out there are of the opinion there is a window period that comes with socializing rescues. Yes, dogs that have not been socialized as puppies usually present as adult dogs with abuse symptoms. A lot of people that have shy dogs may assume their dogs went through abuse, but in all probability, they were not socialized well when they were young. Continue Reading >
One of the hardest parts about working with dogs and their people is breaking the news to an owner that their dog might not be capable of certain goals they desire. Learning to work with the dog that is in front of you is a huge part of having a successful training relationship with your dog. Continue Reading >
The boys grab their bikes and pedal down the road as they make their way to the newest discovery on their long list of adventures. The pack consists of close friends who foster a deep and enduring relationship with each other, and with their dog. Snoopy wasn’t always part of the crew, as she was considered a street dog and many of the boys’ mothers chased her away in the fear of rabies, fleas, and ticks. Continue Reading >
Clear lines of communication between the dog and the handler is the most crucial components of a successful training program. Continue Reading >
Do animals need toys? Absolutely! Toys can help dogs practice their nurturing skills by loving on a “baby.” Toys can also provide stress relief and mental stimulation. However, not all toys are created equal. Here we discuss how to choose the best toys for your pooch! Continue Reading >
Daisy came into our lives when she was about nine months old. We know very little about her, except that she was the youngest of the litter and unwanted by the owner. She is a beautiful little cross, between what and what we are not sure, but there is some Yorkie and a lot of Cairn in the mix. Though she was dirty, flea and worm-infested, we instantly fell in love with her and today Daisy is the light of our lives. What we don’t know is what Daisy has seen in her past. Continue Reading >
Enrolling your dog into a training program and finding the right trainer for you and your dog can be an arduous process. With no overarching governing body that regulates who can and cannot train dogs, and no required education to be completed before beginning to train dogs, finding a qualified dog trainer that you trust with your fur baby can be a challenge. Continue Reading >
The cold is over and it's time to for you and your dog to get outside and get active! Continue Reading >
Styles of training have shifted dramatically over the years. As people are wanting their dogs to be better trained to join them on outings, trainers are seeing more and more people expecting high end obedience out of their pets to ensure good behavior in public. I absolutely love this! I firmly believe in having dogs be a part of the family system, and raising the standard of dog training helps to make this possible. Continue Reading >
The 4th of July is fun for us humans; but it can be a nightmare for our furry friends. Here are some tips to keep your pooch safe and comfy. Continue Reading >
During training, dog tricks are very useful and at the same time enjoyable. Dog tricks are more like dog basic obedience commands and should be more fun. There are many forms of dog tricks. Continue Reading >
After a long day on the road it’s great to pull into a hotel or motel that you know is dog-friendly. If you’ve never stayed at a dog-friendly hotel with your dog before, here are a few things you’ll want to know: Continue Reading >
In 2009, I was working for the state parks (still do). One of the perks of my job is that being centrally located, I am able to travel the state weekly and visit many beautiful state properties. One of the downsides, I soon learned, is that cruel people occasionally dump pets in those parks. Continue Reading >
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