_Dog Training & Pets

Should you get a dog, puppy, or other kind of pet as a gift? Read the article to learn about the many reasons why it may be best to allow the person to get their own pet instead.… Read More

Often, when people think of obedience training, they think of “perfect” dogs. Show dogs, police canines, or at the very least, extremely obedient pets who follow every given command. While having a very obedient dog does have its benefits, even … Read More

Most of us know that almost all dogs like to swim… particularly retrievers and other sporting dogs. However, regardless of your dog’s breed or mix of breeds, it’s very important that your pet be taught how to swim, rather than … Read More

Animal shelters are overloaded with homeless pets because there are far more animals than there are people looking to adopt. Rescue organizations can be seen just about every weekend hosting adoption events, and even television and radio stations have spots … Read More

I was recently watching television when a commercial came on, asking viewers to support the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Throughout the piece, numerous animals were pictured; dogs and cats of every age, size and … Read More

When people think of obedience training, they often visualize “perfect” dogs being led around a show ring by a professional handler, or perhaps working dogs who are on duty doing their part to assist handicapped people, the police, or rescue … Read More

When spring is in the air, most people’s schedules and lifestyles change quite a bit. More time is spent outdoors, kids start to have more after school activities, and visitors come into your yard more frequently. Just as these and … Read More

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Deeds, not breeds.” Although I understand (and to some extent agree) with that slogan, I also firmly believe that you can have both deeds and breeds at the same time. What I’m … Read More

It’s interesting to observe how many pet owners are initially very hesitant to train their dog. However, most people change their minds once they realize that in order for your dog to enjoy certain freedoms, he must first have some … Read More

Has your dog ever been a “deer?” Obviously not in the literal sense, of course he has always been a dog! However, most dog owners will agree that at one point or another, we’ve all experienced our dog acting like … Read More

Dogs love riding in the car, right? Most do, and some may even seem to love it too much! Jumping around, trying to sit on your lap, barking at everything; for some dogs, a ride in the car gets them … Read More

One of the things that can really help humans to understand their pets is to realize how dogs think. Part of this is remembering that the majority of canines have been bred to do a job for many, many generations. … Read More

As spring warms the soil, our lawns, flowers, trees and bushes begin growing. It is at this time of year that many people work on sprucing things up to make their property look pretty. However, many dogs and puppies seem … Read More

Some might say that summer is a season of strange noises. With fireworks frequently fired on Memorial and Independence Days, and thunder that often accompanies storms, many dogs find these strange sounds difficult to deal with. Whether your dog barks, … Read More

One issue that can present a significant challenge to pet owners is finding a place to live that allows dogs. Particularly for people who rent, this can be a big problem! Even those who do own their own house or … Read More

Most pet owners have heard that it’s important to socialize your dog. However, unless you really understand why, it’s hard to imagine why your household pet would need to be comfortable with so many things. Further, people sometimes worry that … Read More

Unless you have a “hypoallergenic” dog (one with hair instead of fur), chances are that, particularly when spring comes along, your pet is beginning to shed his winter coat and will be trading it in for a somewhat thinner summer … Read More

When gas prices are high, (or there are other economic strains), most people feel the pinch in other areas of their lives. Newscasts report that fewer people take long road trips during vacation times, and air travel also becomes less … Read More

Originally from New York, I have enjoyed being a North Carolina resident since 2004. When it comes to pets, one of the big differences between the two locales is the level of “pet friendliness.” For example, on Long Island in … Read More

Does your dog seem to think that many things around your home are canine cuisine? Many dogs, especially puppies, tend to munch on things like remote controls, paper towels, food trash, and even unmentionables from the bathroom wastebasket. For many … Read More

Years ago, when I bought my first home in NY, my family and I excitedly settled in to our first night in our new home. Needless to say, it had been an exhausting day complete with lifting, carrying, setting up, … Read More

Most people know that some foods are dangerous for dogs, such as chocolate or bones that may splinter. However, there are several other foods and items you may be unaware of that can be very harmful to dogs, including: raisins … Read More

Most people will agree that even if you have a “significant other,” Valentine’s Day is a time for showing all the important people in your life some love and appreciation, and our pets are no exception! (Yes, I did just … Read More

Should you encourage your dog to bark at repairmen, visitors, or passers-by? People often think that’s good, but it can become a real problem. Read the article to learn why!… Read More

When it comes to our beloved pets, many people don’t like to set too many limits, while even the most strict of pet owners will usually admit that they like to spoil their pet sometimes. Of course, a little spoiling … Read More

Socializing your dog is a very important aspect toward having a well-adjusted, well-behaved pet. Of course, it’s also usually fun to take your dog for walks, to the park, or even for a ride in the car. But even if … Read More

One of the fun parts of getting a pet is picking out a name. I have seen some trends come and go during 15 years as a dog trainer, while others seem to be consistently popular. For example, in the … Read More

Although to many of us, the “rules” are common sense, there are of course people who either don’t realize or choose not to follow the etiquette of dog walking. In order to clear up any potential confusion, I thought I … Read More

Once upon a time, there was a Grandma. She has always loved golden retrievers and has enjoyed their exuberant, loving personalities throughout her lifetime. Unfortunately, Grandma’s latest golden retriever passed away at the age of 14. She loved that dog … Read More

With all the holiday festivities during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, it’s important to remember your pet when you do your holiday shopping. Not only will your dog enjoy a nice new toy or two from Santa on Christmas morning, … Read More

“Ahh… the Christmas tree… a giant stick! And it even has balls hanging on it! It’s the dog toy of my dreams!” This is likely how your puppy or young dog views this central holiday decoration that graces your home. … Read More

It’s the first week of October and as the air begins to cool also comes the reality that there are many holidays coming just around the corner. And holidays mean candy in bowls, food on counters, doors opening, guests arriving, … Read More

After a lifetime of being self-employed, I’ve gotten used to the seasonal fluctuations of owning a business, many of which are completely unforeseeable even after all this time. However, there are some things that are always predictable, and one of … Read More

Halloween can be a fun time of year. With all sorts of fall festivals, costumes, trick-or-treating, and candy, most households, both with and without children, will join in the festivities to some extent. While this can be a fun time … Read More

One of the most misunderstood commands in dog training is the “come” command. For some reason, we humans realize that we have to teach our dogs how to “sit” and “stay,” but somehow we expect them to automatically know what … Read More

One of the most difficult housebreaking problems that can occur with a puppy or adult dog is when they don’t want to “make” in front of you outside. This can be a huge problem for pet owners who walk and … Read More

Chewing is one of the most common problems we come across as dog trainers. In some households, the damage is vast, involving things such as sofas, carpeting, moulding, and more. But in many households, particularly ones with puppies, there is … Read More

When the weather starts getting cold, I often start receiving calls and emails from folks wanting to know how to get their “outside dog” to behave inside. Some people say that they had been doing their dog a favor by … Read More

Getting a puppy is a very exciting time. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for the time to be “right,” or maybe you just fell in love with a puppy at an adopt-a-thon. Either way, once you get the puppy home, the … Read More

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of life and will involve a big adjustment for everyone in the household, even your pets. Just as you make lots of preparations for your baby to arrive, it is … Read More