Just like people, dogs use verbal and nonverbal means to communicate. Barking is the most commonly displayed means of canine communication, so it is a good idea to try to learn what your dog is trying to say when he barks! Continue Reading >
As dogs age, they tend to develop lumps and bumps... learn why and what to do when you find them on your senior dog. Continue Reading >
Learn the difference between an emotional support animal and a service animal! Continue Reading >
The witching hour is a time each day when a puppy goes outright insane. Running haphazardly, jumping on furniture, biting any surface that gets in its way, and uncontrollable energy -- sound familiar? Read on! Continue Reading >
Follow these steps to help create a harmonious relationship between your cat and dog. Continue Reading >
Protect and promote your dog's oral health by following these helpful tips. Continue Reading >
Dog hair all over the place? Shedding is a natural occurrence in almost every dog. Learn how to help manage your dog's coat! Continue Reading >
You and your dog can visit the National Parks and even become part of the team working to protect our country's natural resources! Continue Reading >
Are you in San Francisco and want to get out and about with your dog? Here are some awesome spots to check out with your four-legged friend! Continue Reading >
Spring cleaning is great for your home, but can be dangerous to your dog! Thankfully, there are now more options than ever for cleaning with pet-friendly products. Continue Reading >
Our author's comprehensive review of the BARK brand of dog toys for you and your dog! Continue Reading >
The French Bulldog is becoming more and more popular because of its small size and adorable characteristics! Continue Reading >
Dog bites can be dangerous, scary and stressful. Learn what to do if your dog bites someone. Continue Reading >
Maintaining the health of your dog's teeth is super important to ensuring he lives a long and healthy life! Continue Reading >
Maximize sharing your small apartment space with your pup with these 5 great tips! Continue Reading >
Learn to care for your dog in the best possible way with our suggestions for the 5 best pet-care apps! Continue Reading >
All dogs can be house trained if you have the following simple ingredients: patience, consistency and a positive attitude! Continue Reading >
Training you dog can be time consuming and tedious! Set the conditions for success by following these 6 suggestions. Continue Reading >
As exciting as it is for humans, New Year's Eve can be scary and stressful for our dogs! Make sure your four-legged-friend is safe and happy during your celebration. Continue Reading >
Learn the story of Pero, and amazing sheepdog and his 240 mile journey! How do dogs find their way home? Continue Reading >
Does your dog suffer from allegies? Learn how to use an Elimination Diet to determine if ingredients in his food are making him itch. Continue Reading >
Help your new dog feel comfortable, safe and loved! Learn how to make the transition to your home an easy one for your new family member. Continue Reading >
Share some screen time with your dog this Thanksgiving. Watch the National Dog Show and give thanks for all dogs - purebred and mixed-breed! Continue Reading >
Autumn is a great time to be a dog! Be a good caretaker and know what dangers to be on the lookout for during the fall months to keep fido safe. Continue Reading >
Thinking about giving your dog a sibling? Be sure to take several factors into account before bringing home a second dog! Continue Reading >
Addressing the issue of behavior, taking into account both nature and the environment (nurture) of rescue dogs. Learn why you must train based on your dog’s responses to cues, regardless of background and upbringing. Continue Reading >
Training your dog to navigate agility challenges is a great way to increase and improve your communication with your dog! Make sure he is ready for his first competition. Continue Reading >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to things in their environment and to their food. They can even experience seasonal allergies! 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
I recently read a fantastic book called How to be Your Dog's Best Friend: A Training Manual for Dog Owners by the Monks of New Skete. The part that stuck with me after reading that book is the emphasis on the fact that to you, your dog is your best friend. But to your dog, you are the leader of the pack - their source of socializing, of friendship, of belonging. I really took that to heart. Yes, I work a full-time job and I hate leaving my dog at home, but I do my best to include her when I can. Short trip to the grocery store? Hop in. Let's go for a ride. The pack is on the move! Continue Reading >
They don’t call a dog “Man’s best friend” for nothing. When it comes to our four legged friends, finding constructive ways to keep them busy isn’t always as easy as it seems. Whether you own a toy poodle or a Doberman pincher, almost every dog needs something to do that burns off their excess energy and keeps them out of trouble. Continue Reading >
A balanced and nutritious diet is important for the health of your pet dog. You should know what you are feeding your dog at every stage of her/his life. Pet nutrition assumes a lot of significance, as a lot depends on what they eat on a daily basis. Continue Reading >
Are you more of a dog person or a cat person? Have you ever wondered why so many people love dogs? When people say how smart dogs are, it’s no joke. According to Live Science, an average dog has an IQ of a two-year-old child. Continue Reading >
Haven’t you ever heard that a dog has the most unconditional love in the entire world? Throughout your entire day there are hundreds of different ways that your furry friend is attempting to communicate with you. Once you become aware of the signs, your time spent will your precious pet will forever change. Continue Reading >
Ok, why do we have a story about a cat posted here on Barkswell? Bear with me. I'll bring this around to dogs, trust me. Some time ago my husband and I decided to go take a look at the local shelter. We weren't particularly looking for a new pet, we just needed to be around animals for a bit. You know, show them a little love while they wait for their forever homes. Continue Reading >
Purebred or mixed breed? That's the question many would-be dog owners ask when deciding about adding a four-legged friend to their family. Hybrid dogs – resulting from the crossing of two different canine breeds –have certain advantages over purebreds. They are generally not as expensive to buy, and also benefit from hybrid vigor. That means that a dog of mixed genetics is likely to have fewer health problems than one from a long line of purebred dogs with shared genes. Continue Reading >
As a professional dog trainer, I spend a lot of time during my day to day work routine teaching owners how to get the most out of their dogs. I love my work and find it extremely rewarding. However, there are definitely moments when I find myself stuck in a monotonous routine. Continue Reading >
What’s better than having one dog? Having more than one! But bringing a new dog into a household with existing dogs is not as easy as just waltzing through the door and hoping for the best. Introducing two (or more) dogs takes a lot of patience and a bit of time. Continue Reading >
Have you ever just sat there looking at your dog sleep and thought: “I wonder what he/she thinks of me?” First of all, when you come into the room, I wonder what our dogs mentally say to themselves to acknowledge our presence. Is it positive? Like “here comes (insert awesome dog owner name)” or is it more personal like “wow he/she’s put on weight” or “really? You wore that outfit last weekend”. Continue Reading >
If there's one thing my dog and I have in common more than anything else, it's a love for food. In unison, we'll rubberneck as soon as the scent of it strikes our noses. The sound of a fridge opening is heaven to our ears and a promise to our stomachs. Continue Reading >
If a poufy hairdo, nail polish and little pink bows come to mind when you hear the word “Poodle,” you’re missing the point. While it’s true that some Poodle parents still favor the foppish look of leg and tail puffs, big hair and various adornments, most people who share their home with Poodles appreciate the breed for characteristics other than their foo-foo potential. Continue Reading >
If you have a pet dog, fleas can give you sleepless nights. The one thing that most pet owners dread are fleas. Dogs can get infected if they come in contact with other animals or fleas in the environment. Before you start with any kind of remedial treatment, clean your home and items used by your pet. Continue Reading >
My dog Stormy is a pet therapy dog. Occasionally we will go to hospitals to help stroke patients regain their dexterity by brushing or playing with him, occasionally we will do a destressing session at the local college at finals time. But most of the time, kids read to him. Continue Reading >
Here’s the situation. You love your four legged friend, he’s been there for you since you were living in that small apartment with only Ben & Jerry to keep you warm…well, cold at night. Now, you’re married and guess what — pregnant! Yay! But wait, how will Spot take to the baby? Is it safe? Should you let your sister keep him until the baby has her shots? Fear not, mama bear. With adequate preparation, there’s nothing to worry about. Continue Reading >
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