Puppies

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most dog owners will eventually have the experience of their pet having surgery. Whether it’s a simple spay or neuter, or a more serious operation, the majority of dogs will have a procedure performed at one time or another. One … Read More

Without question, house training is one of the top priorities for dog owners. While we all expect puppies to require house training, there are many older dogs who have ongoing confusion too. One of the most frequent housebreaking dilemmas is … Read More

Socialization is one of the most important aspects in having a well-behaved dog. Those who are not socialized properly may exhibit all sorts of behavior problems ranging from fear and timidness, to dominant behavior or even aggression. If you have … Read More

Having a new puppy is such an exciting time. Their playful antics, watching them explore and snuggling up are all some of the positives we enjoy. But when it comes to sleeping through the night, puppies can take some time … Read More

While there are many differences between the way pets think and the way people think, when it comes to training baby pets there are lots of similarities too. One similarity is consistency. Many people assume that their puppy or kitten … Read More

It’s the time of year when many people begin decorating their homes for the Christmas season. But some of the festive decorations we enjoy can be dangerous for pets, especially in households that have mischievous puppies or rambunctious adult dogs. … Read More

Without a doubt, dogs love bones. Chewing is very important to dogs, because it helps keep their teeth clean, their gums healthy and gives them something to do. Most pet owners like to give their dogs bones for these reasons, … Read More

How do you serve your appetizers when company visits? Do you put your cheese and crackers right on the coffee table, at dog eye level? Or is that something you would not do because it would be a free-for-all for … Read More

Halloween can be a fun time of year for kids, adults, and even our pets. But just as we take safety measures with our children, it’s also important to do the same with our dogs and cats. Keep in mind … Read More

Autumn is a great season to train your dog or puppy. With the cooler weather, there’s less worry about heat exhaustion, and there are plenty of sights, sounds and smells for you and your dog to experience. Obedience training is … Read More

When most people think of walking their dog, they usually think of their dog or puppy “doing their business,” or simply getting some exercise. But there are many other, very important reasons to walk your dog, and you may be … Read More

With all of the suffering that has gone on during this year’s hurricane season, it should be a wakeup call to anyone who doesn’t have an emergency plan for themselves, their children, and their pets. One thing that has been … Read More

What is it about the telephone that makes others want attention? Not only do children come running as if the phone is a magnet, and spouses often interject repeatedly, but many dogs bark for attention too! Whether it’s while you’re … Read More

Jumping up. Pulling like a maniac. Zooming through the house while intermittently ricocheting off of furniture. Wanting to play 25 hours a day. Too much coffee? Of course not. It’s goofy dog syndrome! When most people imagine getting a dog, … Read More

Have you ever noticed that children like to play endlessly, rarely tiring of their youthful antics while most adults like to play for awhile and then relax a bit? Well, the same situation applies to puppies and adult dogs! Dogs … Read More