dog training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kids and adults alike usually enjoy the antics of the dogs who have graced our movie and television screens for years. Most of us remember Lassie, Benji, and Rin Tin Tin from our childhoods. In more recent years, dogs have … 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

Dogs can be fun traveling companions, and some people are lucky enough to have friends and family who welcome their furry friend. The majority of dogs love to go on car rides, but there are some who are very afraid … 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

Springtime in particular is a time of year when mud becomes an issue for many homes with dogs. Not only does the rain cause mud, but for our pets there are many new smells to explore on the ground. More … Read More

There are a few times of year when many people consider getting a new pet. One of those times is holiday season, and the other is summertime. However, there are many factors to consider when getting a dog, and making … Read More

Starting an exercise program is a great thing to do…. and who better to go walking or jogging with than your dog? However, many pet owners find that initially, bringing their dog along was not as fun as they expected! … Read More

Every pet owner realizes their dog will sometimes bark. In fact, most people even want their dog to bark if someone comes to the door, or if there’s an unusual noise. After all, these are some of the benefits of … Read More

When a traditional fence is not an option, an underground fence might be a solution. But remember that although they keep your pet in, they don’t keep people or animals out! Therefore, if your dog is aggressive, or you live … Read More

Most dog owners enjoy treating their dog to a new toy or bone every now and again. But there are certain types of chew items that can be non-conducive to a well behaved pet! When your dog enjoys a toy … Read More

Separation anxiety is a problem wherein a dog is very anxious when left alone. Symptoms can include: whimpering, salivating, barking, housebreaking accidents, chewing, excessive licking, scratching or digging. Some dogs may even show symptoms when owners go into another room … Read More

Have you ever seen that movie, “Homeward Bound?” You know, the one with the boy whose family goes on vacation and leaves their pets in the care of friends? The golden retriever, American bulldog, and fluffy cat love the boy … Read More

Most dogs were originally bred to perform a job, such as hunting or herding. Nowadays, the majority of dogs are simply enjoyed as pets. However, an intelligent dog who doesn’t have enough to think about can become mischievous… creating his … Read More

As outdoor temperatures become cool, owners of pets that live outdoors need to be extra concerned. Cold weather can seem very harsh to your pet, and most of our domesticated dogs are simply not cut out to live outdoors. All … Read More

Puppy owners often wonder just how much nipping is normal. With their razor sharp puppy teeth, it can sometimes feel like you’ve got a little baby alligator instead of a dog! Some amount of nipping is completely normal… although not … Read More