Pretending You Have No Fence Can Lead to a Well Trained Dog

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Most people who have a dog want to make sure he’s properly trained and well-behaved. Some things that are of top priority include being reliably housebroken (no accidents in the house), and behaving nicely both indoors and out. One of … Read More

Puppy Exposure Dilemma

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Most people who get a young puppy are told not to expose their dog to outdoor areas until vaccines are finished. There are lots of airborne viruses that can be contracted as well as a multitude of worms and illnesses … Read More

Doggy New Year Resolutions

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With holiday festivities coming to a close and a new year beginning, this is a very common time of year to set new goals and resolve to accomplish them. With cooler temperatures outdoors, no big events on the horizon, and … Read More

Crate Training for Cats?

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Getting a new pet can be an exciting and confusing time for both the humans and the animal/s. While dog training is my specialty, being a trainer has also led to numerous opportunities to work with other pets too, particularly … Read More

Good Timing Creates Better Results With Dog Training

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Imagine you just finished grilling a beautiful filet mignon steak. You realize that you forgot the steak sauce, so you walk away from the table to go to the refrigerator and get it. Out of the corner of your eye, … Read More

Benefits of a Dog Toy Box

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Dog toys are a very important part of owning a dog or puppy. Since dogs enjoy chewing, the purpose of dog toys is to provide your pet with appropriate items to chew so he doesn’t chew other things around your … Read More

Consistency is the Key to Dog Training

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When it comes to dog training, there are many aspects that contribute to the success of working with your dog. Things such as supervision, practice, and providing leadership are all necessary in order to obtain your goals. However, another factor … Read More

Socializing Your Puppy With Wearing a Leash

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Getting a new puppy is such an exciting time… and also a big project for humans! Young puppies in particular need to learn every single thing “from scratch,” ranging from housebreaking to obedience to even simple things such as wearing … Read More

What Kind of Dog is Easiest to Train?

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“What kind of dog is the easiest to train?” This is one of the most common questions asked of a dog trainer. Most of the time, people are wanting to hear about a certain breed that is more malleable, expecting … Read More

Sock Stealing and Other Canine Crimes

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Ask anyone who has ever had a puppy and they will surely tell you that one of a puppy’s favorite activities is mischievously snooping around the house and finding items to “steal,” such as socks, paper towels, Barbies, and more. … Read More

Impulse Purchases are for Shoes, Not Pets

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With the average life span of a dog being about 15 years, getting a puppy or dog is a huge commitment. It means that you will have to pay for food, veterinary care, grooming, and other expenses, as well as … Read More

Thinking with a Pack Mentality

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“Dogs are pack animals.” This is a widely known fact, but although we might know it, it can be quite challenging for humans to truly understand it and apply it in our daily relationships with our pets. To summarize, applying … Read More

Submissive or Excitement Urinating

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Some dogs have a problem wherein they urinate a bit when they’re very excited or feeling submissive. This can be very frustrating for pet owners who often feel that they can’t even say hello to their dog without having to … Read More

What to Look for in a Reputable Breeder

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If you’re considering adding a new puppy to your family and have an affinity for a certain breed, you will need to do some research to find just the right breeder from whom to purchase your puppy. While it’s exciting … Read More

Half an Hour a Day… Keeps Mischief Away

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After being a dog trainer for over twelve years, I’ve noticed several questions people ask about my career on a regular basis. Some of the most common ones include, “Which kind of dog is the easiest to train?”, “Have you … Read More

Packing a Doggy Backpack

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Many pet owners find it fun to bring their dog along when going out for the day. Whether a day at the park, a trip to obedience class or a longer outing, it’s a good idea to bring along some … Read More

Schedule Changes for Dogs and Puppies

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When the lazy days of summer begin to come to an end, many people’s schedules undergo big changes. While temperatures may still be a little bit summery, many people’s schedules will not. For many teachers, students and parents, the beginning … Read More

Trimming Dog or Puppy Nails

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Taking care of your dog or puppy’s nails is just another aspect of caring for your pet. However, compared to ear cleaning, bathing and brushing, many people have a particularly difficult time with the “canine pedicure.” A surprising number of … Read More

Neglected Dogs: In Neighborhoods, No Time for Dog

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Whether a pet lover or not, just about everyone will experience an occasional pang of heartbreak when they know of an animal who is clearly neglected. Some cases of neglect are blatantly obvious. For example, the dog who is tied … Read More

Neighborhood Dog Problems

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Well-behaved dogs can be enjoyable parts of the community. For example, friendly pets on leashes who accompany their families on after dinner walks are a pleasure to stop and pet. Sweet ones that frolic with children as they play in … Read More

Dog Mounting, Humping, Offensive Sniffing

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Of course, we all know that dogs are dogs, not people. However, when it comes to certain behaviors, humans are sometimes offended or embarrassed by their pets! Some of the things that dogs do may seem ill mannered to humans, … Read More

Hot Weather/Summer Tips for Dogs

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In most parts of the country, when summer sets in, there is no question as to what the weather will be each day. Undoubtedly it will be hot! For dogs, whose normal body temperatures are warmer than that of humans, … Read More

Admitting an Aggresssion Problem

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For most people, our relationships with our pets are strong emotional bonds, and behavior problems can be pretty upsetting to deal with. Even more difficult is when a normally sweet, affectionate pet does something uncharacteristic, like biting someone, growling or … Read More

Insect Protection for Dogs

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Just as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are a concern for humans, they are also an issue for our pets. Not only are they annoying, but they can pose a serious health hazard through the diseases they may transmit. Of course, … Read More

Fence Jumping Dogs

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Having a dog who jumps your fence is possibly one of the most annoying dog behavior problems to have. Not only is it dangerous for your pet, who may end up out in the street, but it can be very … Read More

Helping a New Dog or Puppy Adjust to Your Home

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When you get a new pet, one of the top priorities is to make sure that he adjusts well to his new home environment. While humans are usually excited about their new furry family member, a new dog or puppy … Read More

Stopping Dogs or Puppies From Eating Things Outside

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Grass, sticks, dirt and even rocks… these are a few of the things many puppies and some adult dogs will pick up and play with or eat when spending time outside. While simply chasing a stick and bringing it to … Read More

Would You Bring a Wild Animal Into Your Home?

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Chances are, you wouldn’t consider bringing a wild animal into your home. After all, if you caught a squirrel and brought it into your house to live, you probably wouldn’t be surprised if it chewed your couch, ate your plants … Read More

Safety Tips for Kids: Loose Dogs

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The majority of pet owners are responsible about keeping their pets on a leash or confined to their property. However, there are occasions when someone’s dog may get out of their house or yard and unfortunately, there are also some … Read More

How Many Incidents Equal a Problem?

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For most people, our relationships with our pets are strong emotional bonds, and behavior problems can be pretty upsetting to deal with. Even more difficult, is when a normally sweet, affectionate pet does something uncharacteristic, like biting someone, growling or … Read More

What to Do if You Find a Dog

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Finding a dog can be a real dilemma. In some cases a dog will simply come up to you, and other times you may see one wandering in a lost sort of way. In either case, most kindhearted dog lovers … Read More

Tips for Two Puppies

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For some families, having two puppies can be double the fun. Sometimes it’s a matter of not being able to choose just one, and other times they simply want two pups so they’ll have each other to be with. There … Read More

Introducing Dogs and Cats

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Contrary to the adage, “fighting like cats and dogs,” most dogs and cats can get along nicely together. Perhaps you’d like to add another pet to your family or maybe you will be caring for a friend’s pet while they’re … Read More

Dog’s Fear of Thunderstorms

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Spring and summer are times of year that can be difficult for some pets and their owners. While most dogs are fine with thunderstorms, others are downright traumatized. With symptoms ranging from barking when they hear a thunderclap, to severe … Read More

Getting Rid Of Your Dog

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Most people love their pets and feel that they’re an important part of the family. No sooner would they get “rid of” their dog than they would their own children if there were a problem. Unfortunately, there are also millions … Read More

Should You Get a Dog for Your Dog?

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Many people consider getting another dog because they want a friend and companion for the dog they already have. In some cases, this can be a great idea… assuming that the family also wants an additional pet for themselves. Not … Read More

Saving for Your Pet’s Retirement… a Personal Story

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Upon reading the title of this article, you’re probably already thinking that my brain must be clogged with dog hair if I’m suggesting that you set up a 401K for your dog. However, while I’m not suggesting your dog retire … Read More

Mailman Mystery

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Dogs and mailmen. For many people, this instantly conjures up images of the traditional cartoon dog chasing the letter carrier down the street. Thankfully, most dogs don’t actually chase delivery people nearly as often as they do in cartoons, but … Read More

Introducing Dogs to One Another

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Most dogs like to make friends with other dogs. As pack animals, when dogs meet one another they immediately check each other out through sniffing and body language, to establish their pecking order. This is best accomplished by giving the … Read More

Excessive Barking in the Yard

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Barking. It’s one of the things that dogs do. In fact, there are occasions when it’s a benefit to have a dog who barks. If there were a stranger entering your property or if something were genuinely amiss, a barking … Read More

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